(JOHNWOOLMAN) 


(. f- 


"  Get  the  writings  of  John   Woolman 
by  heart? 

CHARLES  LAMB. 


THE 


JOURNAL 


OF 


JOHN   WOOLMAN 

WITH  AN  INTRODUCTION 

BY 

JOHN    G.    WHITTIER. 


"The  work  of  righteousness  shall  be  peace ;  and  the  effect  of  righteous- 
ness, quietness  and  assurance  forever."  —  ISAIAH. 


BOSTON: 
JAMES   R.  OSGOOD   AND   COMPANY, 

LATE  TICKNOR  &  FIELDS,  AND  FIELDS,  OSGOOD,  &  Co. 
1871. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1871, 

BY  JAMES   R.   OSGOOD    &   CO., 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


LOAN  STACK 


UNIVERSITY  PRESS  :  WELCH,  BIGELOW,  &  Co., 
CAMBRIDGE. 


mi 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

INTRODUCTION       .......  i 


CHAPTER   I. 

1720-1742. 

His  Birth  and  Parentage.  —  Some  Account  of  the  Operations  of  Di- 
vine Grace  on  his  Mind  in  his  Youth.  —  His  first  Appearance  in  the 
Ministry.  — And  his  Considerations,  while  Young,  on  the  Keeping 
of  Slaves 51 


CHAPTER    II. 
1743-1748. 

His  first  Journey,  on  a  Religious  Visit,  in  East  Jersey.  —  Thoughts  on 
Merchandising  and  Learning  a  Trade.  —  Second  Journey  into  Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland,  Virginia,  and  North  Carolina.  —  Third  Journey 
through  part  of  West  and  East  Jersey.  —  Fourth  Journey  through 
New  York  and  Long  Island  to  New  England.  —  And  his  fifth  Jour- 
ney to  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  and  the  Lower  Counties  on 
Delaware  .  .  '.  .  .  *  *  •  •  •  •  •  66 

CHAPTER    III. 

/ 

1749-1756. 

His  Marriage.  — The  Death  of  his  Father.  —  His  Journeys  into  the 
upper  part  of  New  Jersey,  and  afterwards  into  Pennsylvania.  — 
Considerations  on  keeping  Slaves,  and  Visits  to  the  Families  of 
Friends  at  several  times  and  places.  —  An  Epistle  from  the  General 
Meeting.  —  His  Journey  to  Long  Island.  —  Considerations  on 
Trading  and  on  the  Use  of  Spirituous  Liquors  and  Costly  Apparel. 
—  Letter  to  a  Friend 78 


163 


vi  Contents. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

1757.  1758. 

Visit  to  the  Families  of  Friends  at  Burlington.  —Journey  to  Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland,  Virginia,  and  North  Carolina.  —  Considera^ 
tions  on  the  State  of  Friends  there,  and  the  Exercise  he  was  under 
in  Travelling  among  those  so  generally  concerned  in  keeping  Slaves, 
with  some  Observations  on  this  Subject.  —  Epistle  to  Friends  at 
New  Garden  and  Crane  Creek.  —  Thoughts  on  the  Neglect  of  a 
Religious  Care  in  the  Education  of  the  Negroes  ....  98 

CHAPTER    V. 

1757.  1758. 

Considerations  on  the  Payment  of  a  Tax  laid  for  Carrying  on  the 
-  War  against  the  Indians.  —  Meetings  of  the  Committee  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia.  —  Some  Notes  on  Thomas  a 
Kempis  and  John  Huss.  —  The  present  Circumstances  of  Friends 
in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  very  Different  from  those  of  our 
Predecessors.  —  The  Drafting  of  the  Militia  in  New  Jersey  to  serve 
in  the  Army,  with  some  Observations  on  the  State  of  the  Members 
of  our  Society  at  that  time.  —  Visit  to  Friends  in  Pennsylvania, 
accompanied  by  Benjamin  Jones.  —  Proceedings  at  the  Monthly, 
Quarterly,  and  Yearly  Meetings  in  Philadelphia,  respecting  those 
who  keep  Slaves 124 

CHAPTER    VI. 

1758,  1759- 

Visit  lo  the  Quarterly  Meetings  in  Chester  County.  —Joins  Daniel 
Stanton  and  John  Scarborough  in  a  Visit  to  such  as  kept  Slaves 
there.  —  Some  Observations  on  the  Conduct  which  those  should 
maintain  who  speak  in  Meetings  for  Discipline.  —  More  Visits  to 
such  as  kept  Slaves,  and  to  Friends  near  Salem.  —Account  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  in  the  Year  1759,  and  of  the  increasing  Concern, 
in  Divers  Provinces,  to  labor  against  Buying  and  Keeping  Slaves. 
—  The  Yearly  Meeting  Epistle.  —  Thoughts  on  the  Small-Pox 
spreading,  and  on  Inoculation 139 

CHAPTER    VII. 
1760. 

Visit,  in  Company  with  Samuel  Eastburn,  to  Long  Island,  Rhode 
Island,  Boston,  etc.—  Remarks  on  the  Slave-Trade  at  Newport  ; 
also  on  Lotteries.  —  Some  Observations  on  the  Island  of  Nantucket  158 


Contents.  vii 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

1761,  1762. 

Visits  Pennsylvania,  Shrewsbury,  and  Squan.  —  Publishes  the  Sec- 
ond Part  of  his  Considerations  on  keeping  Negroes.  —  The  Grounds 
of  his  appearing  in  some  Respects  singular  in  his  Dress.  —  Visit  to 
the  Families  of  Friends  of  Ancocas  and  Mount  Holly  Meetings. 

—  Visits  to  the  Indians  at  Wehaloosing  on  the  River  Susquehanna      176 

CHAPTER    IX. 

1763-1769. 

Religious  Conversation  with  a  Company  met  to  see  the  Tricks  of  a 
Juggler.  —  Account  of  John  Smith's  Advice  and  of  the  Proceed- 
ings of  a  Committee  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  1764.  —  Contempla- 
tions on  the  Nature  of  True  Wisdom.  —  Visit  to  the  Families  of 
Friends  at  Mount  Holly,  Mansfield,  and  Burlington,  and  to  the 
Meetings  on  the  Sea-Coast  from  Cape  May  towards  Squan.  —  Some 
Account  of  Joseph  Nichols  and  his  Followers.  —  On  the  different 
State  of  the  first  Settlers  in  Pennsylvania  who  depended  on  their 
own  Labor,  compared  with  those  of  the  Southern  Provinces  who 
kept  Negroes.  —  Visit  to  the  Northern  Parts  of  New  Jersey  and 
the  Western  Parts  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  also  to  the 
Families  of  Friends  at  Mount  Holly  and  several  Parts  of  Mary- 
land. —  Further  Considerations  on  keeping  Slaves ;  and  his  Concern 
for  having  been  a  Party  to  the  Sale  of  One.  —  Thoughts  on 
Friends  exercising  Offices  in  Civil  Government  .  .  208 

CHAPTER   X. 

1769,  1770. 

Bodily  Indisposition.  —  Exercise  of  his  Mind  for  the  Good  of  the 
People  in  the  West  Indies.  —  Communicates  to  Friends  his  Con- 
cern to  Visit  some  of  those  Islands.  —  Preparations  to  embark.  — 
Considerations  on  the  Trade  to  the  West  Indies.  —  Release  from 
his  Concern  and  return  Home.  —  Religious  Engagements.  —  Sick- 
ness, and  Exercise  of  his  Mind  therein  227 

CHAPTER    XI. 

1772. 

Embarks  at  Chester,  with  Samuel  Emlen,  in  a  Ship  bound  for  Lon- 
don. —  Exercise  of  Mind  respecting  the  Hardships  of  the  Sailors. 

—  Considerations  on  the  Dangers  of  training  Youth  to  a  Seafaring 
Life.  —  Thoughts  during  a  Storm  at  Sea.  —  Arrival  in  London      .    237 


viii  Contents. 

CHAPTER    XII. 
1700. 

Attends  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London. —Then  proceeds  toward 
Yorkshire.  —  Visits  Quarterly  and  other  Meetings  in  the  Counties 
of  Hertford,  Warwick,  Oxford,  Nottingham,  York,  and  Westmore- 
land. —  Returns  to  Yorkshire.  —  Instructive  Observations  and  Let- 
ters. —  Hears  of  the  Decease  of  William  Hunt.  —  Some  Account 
of  him.  —  The  Author's  last  Illness  and  Death  at  York  .  .  257 


APPENDIX. 

TESTIMONY  OF  FRIENDS  IN  YORKSHIRE  CONCERNING  JOHN  WOOL- 
MAN  281 

TESTIMONY   OF    FRIENDS    IN   BURLINGTON    CONCERNING    JOHN 

WOOLMAN 285 

A  WORD  OF  REMEMBRANCE  AND  CAUTION  TO  THE  RICH         .        390 


INTRODUCTION. 


TO  those  who  judge  by  the  outward  appear- 
ance, nothing  is  more  difficult  of  explana- 
tion than  the  strength  of  moral  influence  often 
exerted  by  obscure  and  uneventful  lives.  Some 
great  reform  which  lifts  the  world  to  a  higher  level, 
some  mighty  change  for  which  the  ages  have  waited 
in  anxious  expectancy,  takes  place  before  our  eyes, 
and,  in  seeking  to  trace  it  back  to  its  origin,  we  are 
often  surprised  to  find  the  initial  link  in  the  chain 
of  causes  to  be  some  comparatively  obscure  indi- 
vidual, the  divine  commission  and  significance  of 
whose  life  were  scarcely  understood  by  his  contem- 
poraries, and  perhaps  not  even  by  himself.  The 
little  one  has  become  a  thousand ;  the  handful  of 
corn  shakes  like  Lebanon.  "  The  kingdom  of  God 
cometh  not  by  observation";  and  the  only  solu- 
tion of  the  mystery  is  in  the  reflection  that  through 
the  humble  instrumentality  Divine  power  was  mani- 
fested, and  that  the  Everlasting  Arm  was  beneath 
the  human  one. 

The  abolition  of  human  slavery  now  in  process 
of  consummation  throughout  the  world  furnishes 

I  A 


2  Introduction. 

one  of  the  most  striking  illustrations  of  this  truth. 
A  far-reaching  moral,  social,  and  political  revolu- 
tion, undoing  the  evil  work  of  centuries,  unques- 
tionably owes  much  of  its  original  impulse  to  the 
life  and  labors  of  a  poor,  unlearned  workingman 
of  New  Jersey,  whose  very  existence  was  scarcely 
known  beyond  the  narrow  circle  of  his  religious 
society. 

It  is  only  within  a  comparatively  recent  period 
that  the  journal  and  ethical  essays  of  this  remark- 
able man  have  attracted  the  attention  to  which  they 
are  manifestly  entitled.  In  one  of  my  last  inter- 
views with  William  Ellery  Channing,  he  expressed 
his  very  great  surprise  that  they  were  so  little 
known.  He  had  himself  just  read  the  book  for  the 
first  time,  and  I  shall  never  forget  how  his  counte- 
nance lighted  up  as  he  pronounced  it  beyond  com- 
parison the  sweetest  and  purest  autobiography  in 
the  language.  He  wished  to  see  it  placed  within 
the  reach  of  all  classes  of  readers ;  it  was  not  a 
light  to  be  hidden  under  the  bushel  of  a  sect. 
Charles  Lamb,  probably  from  his  friends,  the  Clark- 
sons,  or  from  Bernard  Barton,  became  acquainted 
with  it,  and  on  more  than  one  occasion,  in  his  letters 
and  Essays  of  Elia,  refers  to  it  with  warm  com- 
mendation. Edward  Irving  pronounced  it  a  god- 
send. Some  idea  of  the  lively  interest  which  the 
fine  literary  circle  gathered  around  the  hearth  of 
Lamb  felt  in  the  beautiful  simplicity  of  Woolman's 
pages  may  be  had  from  the  Diary  of  Henry  Crabb 
Robinson,  one  of  their  number,  himself  a  man  of 


Introduction.  3 

wide  and  varied  culture,  the  intimate  friend  of 
Goethe,  Wordsworth,  and. Coleridge.  In  his  notes 
for  First  Month,  1824,  he  says,  after  a  reference  to  a 
sermon  of  his  friend  Irving,  which  he  feared  would 
deter  rather  than  promote  belief :  "  How  different 
this  from  John  Woolman's  Journal  I  have  been 
reading  at  the  same  time  !  A  perfect  gem !  His  is 
a  schone  See/e,  a  beautiful  soul.  An  illiterate  tailor, 
he  writes  in  a  style  of  the  most  exquisite  purity  and 
grace.  His  moral  qualities  are  transferred  to  his 
writings.  Had  he  not  been  so  very  humble,  he 
would  have  written  a  still  better  book ;  for,  fearing 
to  indulge  in  vanity,  he  conceals  the  events  in 
which  he  was  a  great  actor.  His  religion  was  love. 
His  whole  existence  and  all  his  passions  were  love. 
If  one  could  venture  to  impute  to  his  creed,  and  not 
to  his  personal  character,  the  delightful  frame  of 
mind  he  exhibited,  one  could  not  hesitate  to  be  a 
convert.  His  Christianity  is  most  inviting,  —  it  is 
fascinating !  "  One  of  the  leading  British  reviews 
a  few  years  ago,  referring  to  this  Journal,  pro- 
nounced its  author  the  man  who,  in  all  the  cen- 
turies since  the  advent  of  Christ,  lived , nearest  to 
the  Divine  pattern.  The  author  of  The  Patience 
of  Hope,*  whose  authority  in  devotional  literature 
is  unquestioned,  says  of  him :  "  John  Woolman's 

*  It  will  be  interesting  to  the  thousands  in  this  country 
who  have  learned  to  admire  and  love  this  remarkable  writer 
to  learn  that  she  has  in  preparation  an  appreciative  review 
of  the  life  and  character  of  Woolman,  which,  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  will  soon  be  published. 


4  Introduction. 

gift  was  love,  —  a  charity  of  which  it  does  not  enter 
into  the  natural  heart  of  man  to  conceive,  and  of 
which  the  more  ordinary  experiences,  even  of  re- 
newed nature,  give  but  a  faint  shadow.  Every  now 
and  then,  in  the  world's  history,  we  meet  with  such 
men,  the  kings  and  priests  of  Humanity,  on  whose 
heads  this  precious  ointment  has  been  so  poured 
forth  that  it  has  run  down  to  the  skirts  of  their 
clothing,  and  extended  over  the  whole  of  the  visible 
creation ;  men  who  have  entered,  like  Francis  of 
Assisi,  into  the  secret  of  that  deep  amity  with  God 
and  with  his  creatures  which  makes  man  to  be  in 
league  with  the  stones  of  the  field,  and  the  beasts 
of  the  field  to  be  at  peace  with  him.  In  this  pure, 
universal  charity  there  is  nothing  fitful  or  inter- 
mittent, nothing  that  comes  and  goes  in  showers 
and  gleams  and  sunbursts.  Its  springs  are  deep 
and  constant,  its  rising  is  like  that  of  a  mighty 
river,  its  very  overflow  calm  and  steady,  leaving 
life  and  fertility  behind  it." 

After  all,  anything  like  personal  eulogy  seems  out 
of  place  in  speaking  of  one  who  in  the  humblest 
self-abasement  sought  no  place  in  the  world's  esti- 
mation, content  to  be  only  a  passive  instrument  in 
the  hands  of  his  Master;  and  who,  as  has  been 
remarked,  through  modesty  concealed  the  events  in 
which  he  was  an  actor.  A  desire  to  supply  in  some 
sort  this  deficiency  in  his  Journal  is  my  especial 
excuse  for  this  introductory  paper. 

It  is  instructive  to  study  the  history  of  the  moral 
progress  of  individuals  or  communities ;  to  mark 


Introduction.  5 

the  gradual  development  of  truth,  to  watch  the  slow 
germination  of  its  seed  sown  in  simple  obedience 
to  the  command  of  the  Great  Husbandman,  while 
yet  its  green  promise,  as  well  as  its  golden  fruition, 
was  hidden  from  the  eyes  of  the  sower ;  to  go  back 
to  the  well-springs  and  fountain-heads,  tracing  the 
small  streamlet  from  its  hidden  source,  and  noting 
the  tributaries  which  swell  its  waters,  as  it  moves 
onward,  until  it  becomes  a  broad  river,  fertilizing 
and  gladdening  our  present  humanity.  To  this 
end  it  is  my  purpose,  as  briefly  as  possible,  to  nar- 
rate the  circumstances  attending  the  relinquishment 
of  slaveholding  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  to 
hint  at  the  effect  of  that  act  of  justice  and  humanity 
upon  the  abolition  of  slavery  throughout  the  world. 
At  an  early  period  after  the  organization  of  the 
Society,  members  of  it  emigrated  to  the  Maryland, 
Carolina,  Virginia,  and  New  England  colonies.  The 
act  of  banishment  enforced  against  dissenters  under 
Charles  II.  consigned  others  of  the  sect  to  the 
West  Indies,  where  their  frugality,  temperance,  and 
thrift  transmuted  their  intended  punishment  into 
a  blessing.  Andrew  Marvell,  the  inflexible  repub- 
lican statesman,  in  some  of  the  sweetest  and  ten- 
derest  lines  in  the  English  tongue,  has  happily 
described  their  condition  :  — 

"  '  What  shall  we  do  but  sing  His  praise 
Who  led  us  through  the  watery  maze, 
Unto  an  isle  so  long  unknown, 
And  yet  far  kinder  than  our  own  ? 
He  lands  us  on  a  grassy  stage, 


6  Introduction. 

Safe  from  the  storms  and  prelates'  rage ; 
He  gives  us  this  eternal  spring, 
Which  here  enamels  everything, 
And  sends  the  fowls  to  us  in  care, 
On  daily  visits  through  the  air. 
He  hangs  in  shades  the  orange  bright, 
Like  golden  lamps,  in  a  green  night, 
And  doth  in  the  pomegranate  close 
Jewels  more  rich  than  Ormus  shows. 

And  in  these  rocks  for  us  did  frame 
A  temple  where  to  sound  His  name. 
Oh !  let  our  voice  His  praise  exalt, 
Till  it  arrive  at  Heaven's  vault, 
Which  then,  perhaps  rebounding,  may 
Echo  beyond  the  Mexic  bay.' 

So  sang  they  in  the  English  boat, 
A  holy  and  a  cheerful  note  ; 
And  all  the  way,  to  guide  their  chime, 
With  falling  oars  they  kept  the  time." 

Unhappily,  they  very  early  became  owners  of 
slaves,  in  imitation  of  the  colonists  around  them. 
No  positive  condemnation  of  the  evil  system  had 
then  been  heard  in  the  British  islands.  Neither 
English  prelates  nor  expounders  at  dissenting  con- 
venticles had  aught  to  say  against  it.  Few  colonists 
doubted  its  entire  compatibility  with  Christian  pro- 
fession and  conduct.  Saint  and  sinner,  ascetic  and 
worldling,  united  in  its  practice.  Even  the  extreme 
Dutch  saints  of  Bohemia  Manor  on  the  Delaware, 
the  pietists  of  John  de  Labadie,  sitting  at  meat  with 
hats  on,  and  pausing  ever  and  anon  with  suspended 
mouthfuls  to  hear  a  brother's  or  sister's  exhortation, 


Intro  dticlion.  7 

and  sandwiching  prayers  between  the  courses,  were 
waited  upon  by  negro  slaves.  Everywhere  men 
were  contending  with  each  other  upon  matters  of 
faith,  while,  so  far  as  their  slaves  were  concerned, 
denying  the  ethics  of  Christianity  itself. 

Such  was  the  state  of  things  when,  in  1671, 
George  Fox  visited  Barbadoes.  He  was  one  of 
those  men  to  whom  it  is  given  to  discern  through 
the  mists  of  custom  and  prejudice  something  of 
the  lineaments  of  absolute  truth,  and  who,  like  the 
Hebrew  lawgiver,  bear  with  them,  from  a  higher 
and  purer  atmosphere,  the  shining  evidence  of  com- 
munion with  the  Divine  Wisdom.  He  saw  slavery 
in  its  mildest  form  among  his  friends,  but  his  in- 
tuitive sense  of  right  condemned  it.  He  solemnly 
admonished  those  who  held  slaves  to  bear  in  mind 
that  they  were  brethren,  and  to  train  them  up  in 
the  fear  of  God.  "  I  desired,  also,"  he  says,  "  that 
they  would  cause  their  overseers  to  deal  gently 
and  mildly  with  their  negroes,  and  not  use  cruelty 
towards  them  as  the  manner  of  some  hath  been 
and  is ;  and  that,  after  certain  years  of  servitude, 
they  should  make  them  free." 

In  1675,  the  companion  of  George  Fox,  William 
Edmundson,  revisited  Barbadoes,  and  once  more 
bore  testimony  against  the  unjust  treatment  of 
slaves.  He  was  accused  of  endeavoring  to  excite 
an  insurrection  among  the  blacks,  and  was  brought 
before  the  Governor  on  the  charge.  It  was  prob- 
ably during  this  journey  that  he  addressed  a  remon- 
strance to  friends  in  Maryland  and  Virginia  on  the 


8  Introduction. 

subject  of  holding  slaves.  It  is  one  of  the  first  em- 
phatic and  decided  testimonies  on  record  against  ne- 
gro slavery  as  incompatible  with  Christianity,  if  we 
except  the  Papal  bulls  of  Urban  and  Leo  the  Tenth. 

Thirteen  years  after,  in  1688,  a  meeting  of  Ger- 
man Quakers,  who  had  emigrated  from  Kriesheim, 
and  settled  at  Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  addressed 
a  memorial  against  "the  buying  and  keeping  of 
negroes"  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  the  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  Jersey  colonies.  That  meeting  took 
the  subject  into  consideration,  but  declined  giving 
judgment  in  the  case.  In  1696,  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing advised  against  "  bringing  in  any  more  negroes." 
In  1714,  in  its  Epistle  to  London  Friends,  it  ex- 
presses a  wish  that  Friends  would  be  "  less  con- 
cerned in  buying  or  selling  slaves."  The  Chester 
Quarterly  Meeting,  which  had  taken  a  higher  and 
clearer  view  of  the  matter,  continued  to  press  the 
Yearly  Meeting  to  adopt  some  decided  measure 
against  any  traffic  in  human  beings. 

The  Society  gave  these  memorials  a  cold  recep- 
tion. The  love  of  gain  and  power  was  too  strong, 
on  the  part  of  the  wealthy  and  influential  planters 
and  merchants  who  had  become  slaveholders,  to 
allow  the  scruples  of  the  Chester  meeting  to  take 
the  shape  of  discipline.  The  utmost  that  could 
be  obtained  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  an  expres- 
sion of  opinion  adverse  to  the  importation  of  ne- 
groes, and  a  desire  that  "  Friends  generally  do,  as 
much  as  may  be,  avoid  buying  such  negroes  as  shall 
hereafter  be  brought  in,  rather  than  offend  any 


Introduction.  9 

Friends  who  are  against  it.;  yet  this  is  only  caution, 
and  not  censure." 

In  the  mean  time  the  New  England  Yearly  Meet- 
ing was  agitated  by  the  same  question.  Slaves 
were  imported  into  Boston  and  Newport,  and 
Friends  became  purchasers,  and  in  some  instances 
were  deeply  implicated  in  the  foreign  traffic.  In 
1716,  the  monthly  meetings  of  Dartmouth  and  Nan- 
tucket  suggested  that  it  was  "  not  agreeable  to  truth 
to  purchase  slaves  and  keep  them  during  their  term 
of  life."  Nothing  was  done  in  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
however,  until  1727,  when  the  practice  of  importing 
negroes  was  censured.  That  the  practice  was  con- 
tinued notwithstanding,  for  many  years  afterwards, 
is  certain.  In  1758,  a  rule  was  adopted  prohibiting 
Friends  within  the  limits  of  New  England  Yearly 
Meeting  from  engaging  in  or  countenancing  the 
foreign  slave-trade. 

In  the  year  1742  an  event,  simple  and  inconsid- 
erable in  itself,  was  made  the  instrumentality  of 
exerting  a  mighty  influence  upon  slavery  in  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends.  A  small  storekeeper  at  Mount 
Holly,*  in  New  Jersey,  a  member  of  the  Society, 

*  Mount  Holly  is  a  village  lying  in  the  western  part  of  the 
long,  narrow  township  of  Northampton,  on  Rancocas  Creek, 
a  tributary  of  the  Delaware.  In  John  Woolman's  day  it  was 
almost  entirely  a  settlement  of  Friends.  A  very  few  of  the 
old  houses  with  their  quaint  stoops  or  porches  are  left.  That 
occupied  by  John  Woolman  was  a  small,  plain,  two-story 
structure,  with  two  windows  in  each  story  in  front,  a  four- 
barred  fence  enclosing  the  grounds,  with  the  trees  he  planted 
and  loved  to  cultivate.  The  house  _was  not  painted,  but 
i* 


io  Introduction. 

sold  a  negro  woman,  and  requested  the  young  man 
in  his  employ  to  make  a  bill  of  sale  of  her.  On 
taking  up  his  pen,  the  young  clerk  felt  a  sudden 
and  strong  scruple  in  his  mind.  The  thought  of 
writing  an  instrument  of  slavery  for  one  of  his  fel- 
low-creatures oppressed  him.  God's  voice  against 

whitewashed.  The  name  of  the  place  is  derived  from  the 
highest  hill  in  the  county,  rising  two  hundred  feet  above  the 
sea,  and  commanding  a  view  of  a  rich  and  level  country,  of 
cleared  farms  and  woodlands.  Here,  no  doubt,  John  Wool- 
man  often  walked  under  the  shadow  of  its  holly-trees,  com- 
muning with  nature  and  musing  on  the  great  themes  of  life 
and  duty. 

When  the  excellent  Joseph  Sturge  was  in  this  country, 
some  thirty  years  ago,  on  his  errand  of  humanity,  he  visited 
Mount  Holly,  and  the  house  of  Woolman,  then  standing. 
He  describes  it  as  a  very  "humble  abode."  But  one  person 
was  then  living  in  the  town  who  had  ever  seen  its  venerated 
owner.  This  aged  man  stated  that  he  was  at  Woolman's 
little  farm  in  the  season  of  harvest,  when  it  was  customary 
among  farmers  to  kill  a  calf  or  sheep  for  the  laborers.  John 
Woolman,  unwilling  that  the  animal  should  be  slowly  bled 
to  death,  as  the  custom  had  been,  and  to  spare  it  unnecessary 
suffering,  had  a  smooth  block  of  wood  prepared  to  receive 
the  neck  of  the  creature,  when  a  single  blow  terminated  its 
existence.  Nothing  was  more  remarkable  in  the  character 
of  Woolman  than  his  concern  for  the  well-being  and  comfort 
of  the  brute  creation.  "  What  is  religion  ? "  asks  the  old 
Hindoo  writer  of  the  Vishnu  Sarman.  "Tenderness  to- 
ward all  creatures."  Or,  as  Woolman  expresses  it,  "  Where 
the  love  of  God  is  verily  perfected,  a  tenderness  towards  all 
creatures  made  subject  to  our  will  is  experienced,  and  a  care 
felt  that  we  do  not  lessen  that  sweetness  of  life  in  the  animal 
creation  which  the  Creator  intends  for  them  under  our  govern- 
ment." 


Introduction.  1 1 

the  desecration  of  his  image  spoke  in  his  soul. 
He  yielded  to  the  will  of  his  employer,  but,  while 
writing  the  instrument,  he  was  constrained  to  de- 
clare, both  to  the  buyer  and  the  seller,  that  he  be- 
lieved slave-keeping  inconsistent  with  the  Christian 
religion.  This  young  man  was  John  Woolman. 
The  circumstance  above  named  was  the  starting- 
point  of  a  life-long  testimony  against  slavery.  In 
the  year  1746  he  visited  Maryland,  Virginia,  and 
North  Carolina.  He  was  afflicted  by  the  prevalence 
of  slavery.  It  appeared  to  him,  in  his  own  words, 
"  as  a  dark  gloominess  overhanging  the  land."  On 
his  return,  he  wrote  an  essay  on  the  subject,  which 
was  published  in  1754.  Three  years  after,  he  made 
a  second  visit  to  the  Southern  meetings  of  Friends. 
Travelling  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  he  was 
compelled  to  sit  down  at  the  tables  of  slaveholding 
planters,  who  were  accustomed  to  entertain  their 
friends  free  of  cost,  and  who  could  not  comprehend 
the  scruples  of  their  guest  against  receiving  as  a 
gift  food  and  lodging  which  he  regarded  as  the  gain 
of  oppression.  He  was  a  poor  man,  but  he  loved 
truth  more  than  money.  He  therefore  either  placed 
the  pay  for  his  entertainment  in  the  hands  of  some 
member  of  the  family,  for  the  benefit  of  the  slaves, 
or  gave  it  directly  to  them,  as  he  had  opportunity.* 

*  The  tradition  is  that  he  travelled  mostly  on  foot  during 
his  journeys  among  slaveholders.  Brissot,  in  his  New  Trav- 
els in  America,  published  in  1788,  says:  "John  Woolman, 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  of  men  in  the  cause  of  humanity, 
travelled  much  as  a  minister  of  his  sect,  but  always  on  foot, 


12  Introduction. 

Wherever  he  went,  he  found  his  fellow-professors 
entangled  in  the  mischief  of  slavery.  Elders  and 
ministers,  as  well  as  the  younger  and  less  high  in 
profession,  had  their  house  servants  and  field  hands. 
He  found  grave  drab-coated  apologists  for  the  slave- 
trade,  who  quoted  the  same  Scriptures,  in  support 
of  oppression  and  avarice,  which  have  since  been 
cited  by  Presbyterian  doctors  of  divinity,  Metho- 
dist bishops,  and  Baptist  preachers  for  the  same 
purpose.  He  found  the  meetings  generally  in  a 
low  and  evil  state.  The  gold  of  original  Quaker- 
ism had  become  dim,  and  the  fine  gold  changed. 
The  spirit  of  the  world  prevailed  among  them,  and 
had  wrought  an  inward  desolation.  Instead  of 

and  without  money,  in  imitation  of  the  Apostles,  and  in  order 
to  be  in  a  situation  to  be  more  useful  to  poor  people  and  the 
blacks.  He  hated  slavery  so  much  that  he  could  not  taste 
food  provided  by  the  labor  of  slaves."  That  this  writer  was 
on  one  point  misinformed  is  jjjanifest  from  the  following 
passage  from  the  Journal :  "  When  I  expected  soon  to  leave 
a  friend's  house  where  I  had  entertainment,  if  I  believed  that 
I  should  not  keep  clear  from  the  gain  of  oppression  without 
leaving  money,  I  spoke  to  one  of  the  heads  of  the  family 
privately,  and  desired  them  to  accept  of  pieces  of  silver,  and 
give  them  to  such  of  their  negroes  as  they  believed  would 
make  the  best  use  of  them ;  and  at  other  times  I  gave  them 
to  the  negroes  myself,  as  the  way  looked  clearest  to  me. 
Before  I  came  out,  I  had  provided  a  large  number  of  small 
pieces  for  this  purpose,  and  thus  offering  them  to  some  who 
appeared  to  be  wealthy  people  was  a  trial  both  to  me  and 
them.  But  the  fear  of  the  Lord  so  covered  me  at  times  that 
my  way  was  made  easier  than  I  expected ;  and  few,  if  any, 
manifested  any  resentment  at  the  offer,  and  most  of  them, 
after  some  conversation,  accepted  of  them." 


Introduction.  1 3 

meekness,  gentleness,  and  heavenly  wisdom,  he 
found  "  a  spirit  of  fierceness  and  love  of  dominion." 
In  love,  but  at  the  same  time  with  great  faithfulness, 
he  endeavored  to  convince  the  masters  of  their  er- 
ror, and  to  awaken  a  degree  of  sympathy  for  the 
enslaved. 

At  this  period,  or  perhaps  somewhat  earlier,  a  re- 
markable personage  took  up  his  residence  in  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  by  birthright  a  member  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  but  having  been  disowned  in 
England  for  some  extravagances  of  conduct  and 
language,  he  spent  some  years  in  the  West  Indies, 
where  he  became  deeply  interested  in  the  condition 
of  the  slaves.  His  violent  denunciations  of  the 
practice  of  slaveholding  excited  the  anger  of  the 
planters,  and  he  was  compelled  to  leave  the  island. 
He  came  to  Philadelphia,  but,  contrary  to  his  ex- 
pectations, he  found  the  same  evil  existing  there. 
He  shook  off  the  dust  of  the  city,  and  took  up  his 
abode  in  the  country,  a  few  miles  distant.  His 
dwelling  was  a  natural  cave,  with  some  slight  ad- 
dition of  his  own  making.  His  drink  was  the 
spring-water  flowing  by  his  door ;  his  food,  vege- 
tables alone.  He  persistently  refused  to  wear  any 
garment  or  eat  any  food  purchased  at  the  expense 
of  animal  life,  or  which  was  in  any  degree  the  pro- 
duct of  slave  labor.  Issuing  from  his  cave,  on  his 
mission  of  preaching  "  deliverance  to  the  captive," 
he  was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  the  various  meetings 
for  worship  and  bearing  his  testimony  against  slave- 
holders, greatly  to  their  disgust  and  indignation. 


14  Introduction. 

On  one  occasion  he  entered  the  Market  Street 
Meeting,  and  a  leading  Friend  requested  some  one 
to  take  him  out.  A  burly  blacksmith  volunteered 
to  do  it,  leading  him  to  the  gate  and  thrusting  him 
out  with  such  force  that  he  fell  into  the  gutter  of 
the  street.  There  he  lay  until  the  meeting  closed, 
telling  the  bystanders  that  he  did  not  feel  free  to 
rise  himself.  "  Let  those  who  cast  me  here  raise 
me  up.  It  is  their  business,  not  mine." 

His  personal  appearance  was  in  remarkable  keep- 
ing with  his  eccentric  life.  A  figure  only  four  and 
a  half  feet  high,  hunchbacked,  with  projecting 
chest,  legs  small  and  uneven,  arms  longer  than  his 
legs  ;  a  huge  head,  showing  only  beneath  the  enor- 
mous white  hat ;  large,  solemn  eyes  and  a  prominent 
nose ;  the  rest  of  his  face  covered  with  a  snowy 
semicircle  of  beard  falling  low  on  his  breast,  —  a 
figure  to  recall  the  old  legends  of  troll,  brownie, 
and  kobold.  Such  was  the  irrepressible  prophet 
who  troubled  the  Israel  of  slaveholding  Quakerism, 
clinging  like  a  rough  chestnut-burr  to  the  skirts  of 
its  respectability  and  settling  like  a  pertinacious 
gad-fly  on  the  sore  places  of  its  conscience. 

On  one  occasion,  while  the  annual  meeting  was 
in  session  at  Burlington,  N.  J.,  in  the  midst  of  the 
solemn  silence  of  the  great  assembly,  the  unwel- 
come figure  of  Benjamin  Lay,  wrapped  in  his  long 
white  overcoat,  was  seen  passing  up  the  aisle.  Stop- 
ping midway,  he  exclaimed,  "You  slaveholders! 
Why  don't  you  throw  off  your  Quaker  coats  as  I 
do  mine,  and  show  yourselves  as  you  are  ?  "  Cast- 


Introduction.  15 

ing  off  as  he  spoke  his  outer  garment,  he  disclosed 
to  the  astonished  assembly  a  military  coat  under- 
neath and  a  sword  dangling  at  his  heels.  Holding 
in  one  hand  a  large  book,  he  drew  his  sword  with 
the  other.  "  In  the  sight  of  God,"  he  cried,  "  you 
are  as  guilty  as  if  you  stabbed  your  slaves  to  the 
heart,  as  I  do  this  book  !  "  suiting  the  action  to  the 
word,  and  piercing  a  small  bladder  filled  with  the 
juice  of  poke-weed  (phytolacca  decandra),  which  he 
had  concealed  between  the  covers,  and  sprinkling 
as  with  fresh  blood  those  who  sat  near  him.  John 
Woolman  makes  no  mention  of  this  circumstance 
in  his  Journal,  although  he  was  probably  present, 
and  it  must  have  made  a  deep  impression  on  his 
sensitive  spirit.  The  violence  and  harshness  of 
Lay's  testimony,  however,  had  nothing  in  common 
with  the  tender  and  sorrowful  remonstrances  and 
appeals  of  the  former,  except  the  sympathy  which 
they  both  felt  for  the  slave  himself.* 

Still  later,  a  descendant  of  the  persecuted  French 
Protestants,  Anthony  Benezet,  a  man  of  uncommon 
tenderness  of  feeling,  began  to  write  and  speak 

*  Lay  was  well  acquainted  with  Dr.  Franklin,  who  some- 
times visited  him.  Among  other  schemes  of  reform  he  enter- 
tained the  idea  of  converting  all  mankind  to  Christianity. 
This  was  to  be  done  by  three  witnesses,  —  himself,  Michael 
Lovell,  and  Abel  Noble,  assisted  by  Dr.  Franklin.  But  on 
their  first  meeting  at  the  Doctor's  house,  the  three  "  chosen 
vessels  "  got  into  a  violent  controversy  on  points  of  doctrine, 
and  separated  in  ill-humor.  The  philosopher,  who  had  been 
an  amused  listener,  advised  the  three  sages  to  give  up  the 
project  of  converting  the  world  until  they  had  learned  to 
tolerate  each  other. 


1 6  Introduction. 

against  slavery.  How  far,  if  at  all,  he  was  moved 
thereto  by  the  example  of  Woolman  is  not  known, 
but  it  is  certain  that  the  latter  found  in  him  a  steady 
friend  and  coadjutor  in  his  efforts  to  awaken  the 
slumbering  moral  sense  of  his  religious  brethren. 
The  Marquis  de  Chastellux,  author  of  De  la  Felicite 
Publique,  describes  him  as  a  small,  eager-faced  man, 
full  of  zeal  and  activity,  constantly  engaged  in  works 
of  benevolence,  which  were  by  no  means  confined 
to  the  blacks.  Like  Woolman  and  Lay,  he  advo- 
cated abstinence  from  intoxicating  spirits.  The 
poor  French  neutrals  who  were  brought  to  Phila- 
delphia from  Nova  Scotia,  and  landed  penniless 
and  despairing  among  strangers  in  tongue  and 
religion,  found  in  him  a  warm  and  untiring  friend, 
through  whose  aid  and  sympathy  their  condition 
was  rendered  more  comfortable  than  that  of  their 
fellow-exiles  in  other  colonies.* 

The  annual  assemblage  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  in 
1758  at  Philadelphia  must  ever  be  regarded  as  one 
of  the  most  important  religious  convocations  in  the 
history  of  the  Christian  church.  The  labors  of 

*  The  reader  of  Evangeline  will  recall  in  this  connection 
the  words  of  the  poet :  — 
"  In  that  delightful  land  which  is  washed  by  the  Delaware's 

waters, 

Guarding  in  sylvan  shades  the  name  of  Penn  the  apostle, 
Stands  on  the  banks  of  its  beautiful  stream  the  city  he 

founded. 

There  from  the  troubled  sea  had  Evangeline  landed,  an  exile, 
Finding  among  the  children  of  Penn  a  home  and  a  country. 
There  old  Rene   Leblanc  had  died;    and  when  he  de- 
parted, 


Introduction.  17 

Woolman  and  his  few  but  earnest  associates  had 
not  been  in  vain.  A  deep  and  tender  interest  had 
been  awakened  ;  and  this  meeting  was  looked  for- 
ward to  with  varied  feelings  of  solicitude  by  all  par- 
ties. All  felt  that  the  time  had  come  for  some  defi- 
nite action  ;  conservative  and  reformer  stood  face 
to  face  in  the  Valley  of  Decision.  John  Woolman, 
of  course,  was  present,  —  a  man  humble  and  poor 
in  outward  appearance,  his  simple  dress  of  undyed 
homespun  cloth  contrasting  strongly  with  the  plain 
but  rich  apparel  of  the  representatives  of  the  com- 
merce of  the  city  and  of  the  large  slave-stocked 
plantations  of  the  country.  Bowed  down  by  the 
weight  of  his  concern  for  the  poor  slaves  and  for 
the  well-being  and  purity  of  the  Society,  he  sat 
silent  during  the  whole  meeting,  while  other  mat- 
ters were  under  discussion.  "My  mind,"  he  says, 
"  was  frequently  clothed  with  inward  prayer  ;  and  I 
could  say  with  David  that  '  tears  were  my  meat  and 
drink,  day  and  night.'  The  case  of  slave-keeping 
lay  heavy  upon  me  ;  nor  did  I  find  any  engage- 
ment to  speak  directly  to  any  other  matter  before 

Saw  at  his  side  only  one  of  all  his  hundred  descendants. 

Something  at  least  there  was  in  the  friendly  streets  of  the 
city, 

Something  that  spake  to  her  heart,  and  made  her  no  longer 
a  stranger ; 

And  her  ear  was  pleased  with  the  Thee  and  Thou  of  the 
Quakers, 

For  it  recalled  the  past,  the  old  Acadian  country, 

Where  all  men  were  equal,  and  all  were  brothers  and  sis- 
ters." 

B 


1 8  Introduction . 

the  meeting."  When  the  important  subject  came 
up  for  consideration  many  faithful  Friends  spoke 
with  weight  and  earnestness.  No  one  openly  jus- 
tified slavery  as  a  system,  although  some  expressed 
a  concern  lest  the  meeting  should  go  into  measures 
calculated  to  cause  uneasiness  to  many  members  of 
the  Society.  It  was  also  urged  that  Friends  should 
wait  patiently  until  the  Lord  in  his  own  time  should 
open  a  way  for  the  deliverance  of  the  slave.  This 
was  replied  to  by  John  Woolman.  "  My  mind,"  he 
said,  "  is  led  to  consider  the  purity  of  the  Divine 
Being,  and  the  justice  of  his  judgments  ;  and  here- 
in my  soul  is  covered  with  awfulness.  I  cannot 
forbear  to  hint  of  some  cases  where  people  have 
not  been  treated  with  the  purity  of  justice,  and  the 
event  has  been  most  lamentable.  Many  slaves  on 
this  continent  are  oppressed,  and  their  cries  have 
entered  into  the  ears  of  the  Most  High.  Such  are 
the  purity  and  certainty  of  his  judgments,  that  he 
cannot  be  partial  in  our  favor.  In  infinite  love  and 
goodness  he  hath  opened  our  understandings  from 
one  time  to  another,  concerning  our  duty  towards 
this  people  ;  and  it  is  not  a  time  for  delay.  Should 
we  now  be  sensible  of  what  he  requires  of  us,  and 
through  a  respect  to  the  private  interest  of  some 
persons,  or  through  a  regard  to  some  friendships 
which  do  not  stand  upon  an  immutable  foundation, 
neglect  to  do  our  duty  in  firmness  and  constancy, 
still  waiting  for  some  extraordinary  means  to  bring 
about  their  deliverance,  God  may  by  terrible  things 
in  righteousness  answer  us  in  this  matter." 


Introduction.  19 

This  solemn  and  weighty  appeal  was  responded 
to  by  many  in  the  assembly,  in  a  spirit  of  sympathy 
and  unity.  Some  of  the  slaveholding  members  ex- 
pressed their  willingness  that  a  strict  rule  of  dis- 
cipline should  be  adopted  against  dealing  in  slaves 
for  the  future.  To  this  it  was  answered,  that  the 
root  of  the  evil  would  never  be  reached  effectually 
until  a  searching  inquiry  was  made  into  the  cir- 
cumstances and  motives  of  such  as  held  slaves.  At 
length  the  truth  in  a  great  measure  triumphed  over 
all  opposition  ;  and,  without  any  public  dissent,  the 
meeting  agreed  that  the  injunction  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  to  do  to  others  as  we  would  that  others 
should  do  to  us  should  induce  Friends  who  held 
slaves  "  to  set  them  at  liberty,  making  a  Christian 
provision  for  them,"  and  four  Friends  —  John  Wool- 
man,  John  Scarborough,  Daniel  Stanton,  and  John 
gykes  —  were  approved  of  as  suitable  persons  to 
visit  and  treat  with  such  as  kept  slaves,  within  the 
limits  of  the  Meeting. 

This  painful  and  difficult  duty  was  faithfully  per- 
formed. In  that  meekness  and  humility  of  spirit 
which  has  nothing  in  common  with  the  "fear  of 
man,  which  bringeth  a  snare,"  the  self-denying  fol- 
lowers of  their  Divine  Lord  and  Master  "went 
about  doing  good."  In  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
and  among  the  wealthy  planters  of  the  country, 
they  found  occasion  often  to  exercise  a  great  de- 
gree of  patience,  and  to  keep  a  watchful  guard  over 
their  feelings.  In  his  Journal  for  this  important 
period  of  his  life  John  Woolman  says  but  little  of 


2O  Introduction. 

his  own  services.  How  arduous  and  delicate  they 
were  may  be  readily  understood.  The  number  of 
slaves  held  by  members  of  the  Society  was  very 
large.  Isaac  Jackson,  in  his  report  of  his  labors 
among  slaveholders  in  a  single  Quarterly  Meeting, 
states  that  he  visited  the  owners  of  more  than  eleven 
hundred  slaves.  From  the  same  report  may  be 
gleaned  some  hints  of  the  difficulties  which  pre- 
sented themselves.  One  elderly  man  says  he  has 
well  brought  up  his  eleven  slaves,  and  "  now  they 
must  work  to  maintain  him."  Another  owns  it  is  all 
wrong,  but  "  cannot  release  his  slaves  ;  his  tender 
wife  under  great  concern  of  mind  "  on  account  of 
his  refusal.  A  third  has  fifty  slaves,  knows  it  to  be 
wrong,  but  can't  see  his  way  clear  out  of  it.  "  Per- 
haps," the  report  says,  "  interest  dims  his  vision." 
A  fourth  is  full  of  "excuses  and  reasonings." 
"  Old  Jos.  Richison  has  forty,  and  is  determined  to 
keep  them."  Another  man  has  fifty,  and  "means 
to  keep  them."  Robert  Ward  "  wants  to  release 
his  slaves,  but  his  wife  and  daughters  hold  back." 
Another  "  owns  it  is  wrong,  but  says  he  will  not 
part  with  his  negroes,  —  no,  not  while  he  lives." 
The  far  greater  number,  however,  confess  the 
wrong  of  slavery  and  agree  to  take  measures  for 
freeing  their  slaves.* 

*  An  incident  occurred  during  this  visit  of  Isaac  Jackson 
which  impressed  him  deeply.  On  the  last  evening,  just  as  he 
was  about  to  turn  homeward,  he  was  told  that  a  member  of 
the  Society  whom  he  had  not  seen  owned  a  very  old  slave 
who  was  happy  and  well  cared  for.  It  was  a  case  which  it 
was  thought  might  well  be  left  to  take  care  of  itself.  Isaac 


Introduction.  21 

An  extract  or  two  from  the  Journal  at  this  period 
will  serve  to  show  both  the  nature  of  the  service  in 

Jackson,  sitting  in  silence,  did  not  feel  his  mind  quite  satis- 
fied ;  and  as  the  evening  wore  away,  feeling  more  and  more 
exercised,  he  expressed  his  uneasiness,  when  a  young  son  of 
his  host  eagerly  offered  to  go  with  him  and  show  him  the 
road  to  the  place.  The  proposal  was  gladly  accepted.  On 
introducing  the  object  of  their  visit,  the  Friend  expressed 
much  surprise  that  any  uneasiness  should  be  felt  in  the  case, 
but  at  length  consented  to  sign  the  form  of  emancipation, 
saying,  at  the  same  time,  it  would  make  no  difference  in  their 
relations,  as  the  old  man  was  perfectly  happy.  At  Isaac 
Jackson's  request  the  slave  was  called  in  and  seated  before 
them.  His  form  was  nearly  double,  his  thin  hands  were 
propped  on  his  knees,  his  white  head  was  thrust  forward, 
and  his  keen,  restless,  inquiring  eyes  gleamed  alternately  on 
the  stranger  and  on  his  master.  At  length  he  was  informed 
of  what  had  been  done  ;  that  he  was  no  longer  a  slave,  and 
that  his  master  acknowledged  his  past  services  entitled  him 
to  a  maintenance  so  long  as  he  lived.  The  old  man  listened 
in  almost  breathless  wonder,  his  head  slowly  sinking  on  his 
breast.  After  a  short  pause,  he  clasped  his  hands,  then 
spreading  them  high  over  his  hoary  head,  slowly  and  rev- 
erently exclaimed,  "Oh,  goody  Gody,  oh!"  —  bringing  his 
hands  again  down  on  his  knees.  Then  raising  them  as  be- 
fore, he  twice  repeated  the  solemn  exclamation,  and  with 
streaming  eyes  and  a  voice  almost  too  much  choked  for 
utterance,  he  continued,  "  I  thought  I  should  die  a  slave,  and 
now  I  shall  die  a  free  man  !  " 

It  is  a  striking  evidence  of  the  divine  compensations 
which  are  sometimes  graciously  vouchsafed  to  those  who 
have  been  faithful  to  duty,  that,  on  his  death-bed  this  affect- 
ing scene  was  vividly  revived  in  the  mind  of  Isaac  Jackson. 
At  that  supreme  moment,  when  all  other  pictures  of  time 
were  fading  out,  that  old  face,  full  of  solemn  joy  and  devout 
thanksgiving,  rose  before  him,  and  comforted  him  as  with  the 
blessing  of  God. 


22  Introduction. 

which  he  was  engaged  and  the  frame  of  mind  in 
which  he  accomplished  it. 

"  In  the  beginning  of  the  i2th  month  I  joined  in 
company  with  my  friends,  John  Sykes  and  Daniel 
Stanton,  in  visiting  such  as  had  slaves.  Some, 
whose  hearts  were  rightly  exercised  about  them, 
appeared  to  be  glad  of  our  visit,  but  in  some  places 
our  way  was  more  difficult.  I  often  saw  the  ne- 
cessity of  keeping  down  to  that  root  from  whence 
our  concern  proceeded,  and  have  cause  in  reverent 
thankfulness  humbly  to  bow  down  before  the  Lord 
who  was  near  to  me,  and  preserved  my  mind  in 
calmness  under  some  sharp  conflicts,  and  begat  a 
spirit  of  sympathy  and  tenderness  in  me  towards 
some  who  were  grievously  entangled  by  the  spirit 
of  this  world." 

"  ist  month,  1759.  —  Having  forced  my  mind 
down  to  visit  some  of  the  more  active  members  of 
society  at  Philadelphia  who  had  slaves,  I  met  my 
friend  John  Churchman  there  by  agreement,  and  we 
continued  about  a  week  in  the  city.  We  visited  some 
that  were  sick,  and  some  widows  and  their  families  ; 
and  the  other  part  of  the  time  was  mostly  employed 
in  visiting  such  as  had  slaves.  It  was  a  time  of 
deep  exercise  ;  but  looking  often  to  the  Lord  for 
assistance,  he  in  unspeakable  kindness  favored  us 
with  the  influence  of  that  spirit  which  crucifies  to 
the  greatness  and  splendor  of  this  world,  and  en- 
abled us  to  go  through  some  heavy  labors,  in  which 
we  found  peace." 

These  labors  were  attended  with  the  blessing  of 


Introduction.  23 

the  God  of  the  poor  and  oppressed.  Dealing  in 
slaves  was  almost  entirely  abandoned,  and  many 
who  held  slaves  set  them  at  liberty.  But  many 
members  still  continuing  the  practice,  a  more  em- 
phatic testimony  against  it  was  issued  by  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  1774;  and  two  years  after  the  subor- 
dinate meetings  were  directed  to  deny  the  right  of 
membership  to  such  as  persisted  in  holding  their  fellow- 
men  as  property. 

A  concern  was  now  felt  for  the  temporal  and 
religious  welfare  of  the  emancipated  slaves  and,  in 
1779  the  Yearly  Meeting  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  some  reparation  was  due  from  the  masters  to 
their  former  slaves  for  services  rendered  while  in 
the  condition  of  slavery.  The  following  is  an  ex- 
tract from  an  epistle  on  this  subject :  — 

"  We  are  united  in  judgment  that  the  state  of  the 
oppressed  people  who  have  been  held  by  any  of  us, 
or  our  predecessors,  in  captivity  and  slavery,  calls 
for  a  deep  inquiry  and  close  examination  how  far 
we  are  clear  of  withholding  from  them  what  under 
such  an  exercise  may  open  to  view  as  their  just 
right ;  and  therefore  we  earnestly  and  affectionately 
entreat  our  brethren  in  religious  profession  to  bring 
this  matter  home,  and  that  all  who  have  let  the  op- 
pressed go  free  may  attend  to  the  further  openings 
of  duty. 

"  A  tender  Christian  sympathy  appears  to  be 
awakened  in  the  minds  of  many  who  are  not  in 
religious  profession  with  us,  who  have  seriously 
considered  the  oppressions  and  disadvantages  under 


24  Introduction. 

which  those  people  have  long  labored  ;  and  whether 
a  pious  care  extended  to  their  offspring  is  not  justly 
due  from  us  to  them  is  a  consideration  worthy  our 
serious  and  deep  attention." 

Committees  to  aid  and  advise  the  colored  people 
were  accordingly  appointed  in  the  various  Monthly 
Meetings.  Many  former  owners  of  slaves  faithfully 
paid  the  latter  for  their  services,  submitting  to  the 
award  and  judgment  of  arbitrators  as  to  what  jus- 
tice required  at  their  hands.  So  deeply  had  the 
sense  of  the  wrong  of  slavery  sunk  into  the  hearts 
of  Friends ! 

John  Woolman,  in  his  Journal  for  1769,  states, 
that  having  some  years  before,  as  one  of  the  ex- 
ecutors of  a  will,  disposed  of  the  services  of  a  negro 
boy  belonging  to  the  estate  until  he  should  reach 
the  age  of  thirty  years,  he  became  uneasy  in  respect 
to  the  transaction,  and,  although  he  had  himself 
derived  no  pecuniary  benefit  from  it,  and  had 
simply  acted  as  the  agent  of  the  heirs  of  the  estate 
to  which  the  boy  belonged,  he  executed  a  bond, 
binding  himself  to  pay  the  master  of  the  young 
man  for  four  years  and  a  half  of  his  unexpired 
term  of  service. 

The  appalling  magnitude  of  the  evil  against 
which  he  felt  himself  especially  called  to  contend 
was  painfully  manifest  to  John  Woolman.  At  the 
outset,  all  about  him,  in  every  department  of  life 
and  human  activity,  in  the  state  and  the  church,  he 
saw  evidences  of  its  strength,  and  of  the  depth  and 
extent  to  which  its  roots  had  wound  their  way 


Introduction.  25 

among  the  foundations  of  society.  Yet  he  seems 
never  to  have  doubted  for  a  moment  the  power  of 
simple  truth  to  eradicate  it,  nor  to  have  hesitated 
as  to  his  own  duty  in  regard  to  it.  There  was  no 
groping  like  Samson  in  the  gloom ;  no  feeling  in 
blind  wrath  and  impatience  for  the  pillars  of  the 
temple  of  Dagon.  "  The  candle  of  the  Lord  shone 
about  him,"  and  his  path  lay  clear  and  unmistakable 
before  him.  He  believed  in  the  goodness  of  God 
that  leadeth  to  repentance  ;  and  that  love  could 
reach  the  witness  for  itself  in  the  hearts  of  all  men, 
through  all  entanglements  of  custom  and  every 
barrier  of  pride  and  selfishness.  No  one  could 
have  a  more  humble  estimate  of  himself;  but  as 
he  went  forth  on  his  errand  of  mercy  he  felt  the 
Infinite  Power  behind  him,  and  the  consciousness 
that  he  had  known  a  preparation  from  that  Power 
"to  stand  as  a  trumpet  through  which  the  Lord 
speaks."  The  event  justified  his  confidence ;  wher- 
ever he  went  hard  hearts  were  softened,  avarice 
and  love  of  power  and  pride  of  opinion  gave  way 
before  his  testimony  of  love. 

The  New  England  Yearly  Meeting  then,  as  now, 
was  held  in  Newport,  on  Rhode  Island.  In  the 
year  1760  John  Woolman,  in  the  course  of  a  re- 
ligious visit  to  New  England,  attended  that  meeting. 
He  saw  the  horrible  traffic  in  human  beings,  —  the 
slave-ships  lying  at  the  wharves  of  the  town,  —  the 
sellers  and  buyers  of  men  and  women  and  children 
thronging  the  market-place.  The  same  abhorrent 
scenes  which  a  few  years  after  stirred  the  spirit  of 
2 


26  Introduction. 

the  excellent  Hopkins  to  denounce  the  slave-trade 
and  slavery  as  hateful  in  the  sight  of  God  to  his 
congregation  at  Newport  were  enacted  in  the  full 
view  and  hearing  of  the  annual  convocation  of 
Friends,  many  of  whom  were  themselves  partakers 
in  the  shame  and  wickedness.  "  Understanding," 
he  says,  "  that  a  large  number  of  slaves  had  been 
imported  from  Africa  into  the  town,  and  were  then 
on  sale  by  a  member  of  your  Society,  my  appetite 
failed ;  I  grew  outwardly  weak,  and  had  a  feeling 
of  the  condition  of  Habakkuk  :  '  When  I  heard,  my 
belly  trembled,  my  lips  quivered ;  I  trembled  in 
myself,  that  I  might  rest  in  the  day  of  trouble.'  I 
had  many  cogitations,  and  was  sorely  distressed." 
He  prepared  a  memorial  to  the  Legislature,  then  in 
session,  for  the  signatures  of  Friends,  urging  that 
body  to  take  measures  to  put  an  end  to  the  impor- 
tation of  slaves.  His  labors  in  the  Yearly  Meeting 
appear  to  have  been  owned  and  blessed  by  the 
Divine  Head  of  the  church.  The  London  Epistle 
for  1758,  condemning  the  unrighteous  traffic  in 
men,  was  read,  and  the  substance  of  it  embodied 
in  the  discipline  of  the  meeting ;  and  the  following 
query  was  adopted,  to  be  answered  by  the  subor- 
dinate meetings  :  — 

"  Are  Friends  clear  of  importing  negroes,  or  buy- 
ing them  when  imported ;  and  do  they  use  those 
well,  where  they  are  possessed  by  inheritance  or 
otherwise,  endeavoring  to  train  them  up  in  prin- 
ciples of  religion  ? " 

At  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  John  Wool- 


Introduction.  27 

man  requested  those  members  of  the  Society  who 
held  slaves  to  meet  with  him  in  the  chamber  of 
the  house  for  worship,  where  he  expressed  his  con- 
cern for  the  well-being  of  the  slaves,  and  his  sense 
of  the  iniquity  of  the  practice  of  dealing  in  or  hold- 
ing them  as  property.  His  tender  exhortations  were 
not  lost  upon  his  auditors  ;  his  remarks  were  kindly 
received,  and  the  gentle  and  loving  spirit  in  which 
they  were  offered  reached  many  hearts. 

In  1769,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Quarterly  Meeting,  the  Yearly  Meeting  expressed 
its  sense  of  the  wrongfulness  of  holding  slaves,  and 
appointed  a  large  committee  to  visit  those  members 
who  were  implicated  in  the  practice.  The  next 
year  this  committee  reported  that  they  had  com- 
pleted their  service,  "and  that  their  visits  mostly 
seemed  to  be  kindly  accepted.  Some  Friends  mani- 
fested a  disposition  to  set  such  at  liberty  as  were 
suitable ;  some  others,  not  having  so  clear  a  sight 
of  such  an  unreasonable  servitude  as  could  be 
desired,  were  unwilling  to  comply  with  the  advice 
given  them  at  present,  yet  seemed  willing  to  take 
it  into  consideration  ;  a  few  others  manifested  a 
disposition  to  keep  them  in  continued  bondage." 

It  was  stated  in  the  Epistle  to  London  Yearly 
Meeting  of  the  year  1772,  that  a  few  Friends  had 
freed  their  slaves  from  bondage,  but  that  others 
"  have  been  so  reluctant  thereto  that  they  have 
been  disowned  for  not  complying  with  the  advice 
of  this  meeting." 

In  1773  the  following  minute  was  made:   "It 


28  Introduction. 

is  our  sense  and  judgment  that  truth  not  only 
requires  the  young  of  capacity  and  ability,  but  like- 
wise the  aged  and  impotent,  and  also  all  in  a  state 
of  infancy  and  nonage,  among  Friends,  to  be  dis- 
charged and  set  free  from  a  state  of  slavery,  that 
we  do  no  more  claim  property  in  the  human  race, 
as  we  do  in  the  brutes  that  perish." 

In  1782  no  slaves  were  known  to  be  held  in  the 
New  England  Yearly  Meeting.-  The  next  year  it 
was  recommended  to  the  subordinate  meetings  to 
appoint  committees  to  effect  a  proper  and  just 
settlement  between  the  manumitted  slaves  and  their 
former  masters,  for  their  past  services.  In  1784 
it  was  concluded  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  that  any 
former  slaveholder  who  refused  to  comply  with 
the  award  of  these  committees  should,  after  due 
care  and  labor  with  him,  be  disowned  from  the 
Society.  This  was  effectual ;  settlements  without 
disownment  were  made  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
parties,  and  every  case  was  disposed  of  previous 
to  the  year  1787. 

In  the  New  York  Yearly  Meeting,  slave-trading 
was  prohibited  about  the  middle  of  the  last  cen- 
tury. In  1771,  in  consequence  of  an  epistle  from 
the  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  visit  those  who  held  slaves,  and  to 
advise  with  them  in  relation  to  emancipation.  In 
1776  it  was  made  a  disciplinary  offence  to  buy, 
sell,  or  hold  slaves  upon  any  condition.  In  1784 
but  one  slave  was  to  be  found  in  the  limits  of  the 
meeting.  In  the  same  year,  by  answers  from  the 


Introduction.  29 

several  subordinate  meetings,  it  was  ascertained 
that  an  equitable  settlement  for  past  services  had 
been  effected  between  the  emancipated  negroes 
and  their  masters  in  all  save  three  cases. 

In  the  Virginia  Yearly  Meeting  slavery  had  its 
strongest  hold.  Its  members,  living  in  the  midst 
of  slaveholding  communities,  were  necessarily  ex- 
posed to  influences  adverse  to  emancipation.  I 
have  already  alluded  to  the  epistle  addressed  to 
them  by  William  Edmondson,  and  to  the  labors 
of  John  Woolman  while  travelling  among  them. 
In  1757  the  Virginia  Yearly  Meeting  condemned 
the  foreign  slave-trade.  In  1764  it  enjoined  upon 
its  members  the  duty  of  kindness  towards  their 
servants,  of  educating  them,  and  carefully  pro- 
viding for  their  food  and  clothing.  Four  years 
after,  its  members  were  strictly  prohibited  from 
purchasing  anymore  slaves.  In  1773  it  earnestly 
recommended  the  immediate  manumission  of  all 
slaves  held  in  bondage,  after  the  females  had 
reached  eighteen  and  the  males  twenty-one  years 
of  age.  At  the  same  time  it  was  advised  that 
committees  should  be  appointed  for  the  purpose 
of  instructing^  the  emancipated  persons  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  morality  and  religion,  and  for  advising 
and  aiding  them  in  their  temporal  concerns. 

I  quote  a  single  paragraph  from  the  advice  sent 
down  to  the  subordinate  meetings,  as  a  beautiful 
manifestation  of  the  fruits  of  true  repentance  :  — 

"  It  is  the  solid  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  we 
of  the  present  generation  are  under  strong  obli- 


30  Introduction. 

gations  to  express  our  love  and  concern  for  the 
offspring  of  those  people  who  by  their  labors  have 
greatly  contributed  towards  the  cultivation  of  these 
colonies  under  the  afflictive  disadvantage  of  endur- 
ing a  hard  bondage ;  and  many  amongst  us  are  en- 
joying the  benefit  of  their  toil." 

In  1784  the  different  Quarterly  Meetings  having 
reported  that  many  still  held  slaves,  notwithstand- 
ing the  advice  and  entreaties  of  their  friends,  the 
Yearly  Meeting  directed,  that  where  endeavors  to 
convince  those  offenders  of  their  error  proved  in- 
effectual, the  Monthly  Meetings  should  proceed 
to  disown  them.  We  have  no  means  of  ascertain- 
ing the  precise  number  of  those  actually  disowned 
for  slaveholding  in  the  Virginia  Yearly  Meeting, 
but  it  is  well  known  to  have  been  very  small.  In 
almost  all  cases  the  care  and  assiduous  labors  of 
those  who  had  the  welfare  of  the  Society  and  of 
humanity  at  heart  were  successful  in  inducing  of- 
fenders to  manumit  their  slaves,  and  confess  their 
error  in  resisting  the  wishes  of  their  friends,  and 
bringing  reproach  upon  the  cause  of  truth. 

So  ended  slavery  in  the  Society  of  Friends.  For 
three  quarters  of  a  century  the  advice  put  forth  in 
the  meetings  of  the  Society  at  stated  intervals,  that 
Friends  should  be  "  careful  to  maintain  their  testi- 
mony against  slavery  "  has  been  adhered  to  so  far 
as  owning,  or  even  hiring,  a  slave  is  concerned. 
Apart  from  its  first-fruits  of  emancipation,  there  is 
a  perennial  value  in  the  example  exhibited  of  the 
power  of  truth,  urged  patiently  and  in  earnest  love, 


Introduction.  3  r 

to  overcome  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  the  eradi- 
cation of  an  evil  system,  strengthened  by  long 
habit,  entangled  with  all  the  complex  relations  of 
society,  and  closely  allied  with  the  love  of  power, 
the  pride  of  family,  and  the  lust  of  gain. 

The  influence  of  the  life  and  labors  of  John 
Woolman  has  by  no  means  been  confined  to  the 
religious  society  of  which  he  was  a  member.  It 
may  be  traced  wherever  a  step  in  the  direction  of 
emancipation  has  been  taken  in  this  country  or  in 
Europe.  During  the  war  of  the  Revolution  many 
of  the  noblemen  and  officers  connected  with  the 
French  army  became,  as  their  journals  abundantly 
testify,  deeply  interested  in  the  Society  of  Friends, 
and  took  back  to  France  with  them  something  of 
its  growing  antislavery  sentiment.  Especially  was 
this  the  case  with  Jean  Pierre  Brissot,  the  thinker 
and  statesman  of  the  Girondists,  whose  intimacy 
with  Warner  Mifflin,  a  friend  and  disciple  of  Wool- 
man, so  profoundly  affected  his  whole  after  life. 
He  became  the  leader  of  the  "  Friends  of  the 
Blacks,"  and  carried  with  him  to  the  scaffold  a  pro- 
found hatred  of  slavery.  To  his  efforts  may  be 
traced  the  proclamation  of  Emancipation  in  Hayti 
by  the  commissioners  of  the  French  convention, 
and  indirectly  the  subsequent  uprising  of  the  blacks 
and  their  successful  establishment  of  a  free  govern- 
ment. The  same  influence  reached  Thomas  Clark- 
son  and  stimulated  his  early  efforts  for  the  abolition 
of  the  slave-trade ;  and  in  after  life  the  volume 
of  the  New  Jersey  Quaker  was  the  cherished  com- 


32  Introduction. 

panion  of  himself  and  his  amiable  helpmate.  It 
was  in  a  degree,  at  least,  the  influence  of  Stephen 
Grellet  and  William  Allen,  men  deeply  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  Woolman,  and  upon  whom  it  might  al- 
most be  said  his  mantle  had  fallen,  that  drew  the 
attention  of  Alexander  I.  of  Russia  to  the  impor- 
tance of  taking  measures  for  the  abolition  of  serf- 
dom, an  object  the  accomplishment  of  which  the 
wars  during  his  reign  prevented,  but  which,  left 
as  a  legacy  of  duty,  has  been  peaceably  effected 
by  his  namesake,  Alexander  II.  In  the  history  of 
Emancipation  in  our  own  country  evidences  of  the 
same  original  impulse  of  humanity  are  not  wanting. 
In  1790  memorials  against  slaver}'  from  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends  were  laid  before  the  first  Congress 
of  the  United  States.  Not  content  with  clearing 
their  own  skirts  of  the  evil,  the  Friends  of  that  day 
took  an  active  part  in  the  formation  of  the  abolition 
societies  of  New  England,  New  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland,  and  Virginia.  Jacob  Lindley, 
Elisha  Tyson,  Warner  Mifflin,  James  Pemberton, 
and  other  leading  Friends,  were  known  throughout 
the  country  as  unflinching  champions  of  Freedom. 
One  of  the  earliest  of  the  class  known  as  modern 
abolitionists  was  Benjamin  Lundy,  a  pupil  in  the 
school  of  Woolman,  through  whom  William  Lloyd 
Garrison  became  interested  in  the  great  work  to 
which  his  life  has  been  so  faithfully  and  nobly  de- 
voted. Looking  back  to  the  humble  workshop  at 
Mount  Holly  from  the  stand-point  of  the  Procla- 
mation of  President  Lincoln,  how  has  the  seed 
sown  in  weakness  been  raised  up  in  power! 


Introduction.  33 

The  larger  portion  of  Woolman's  writings  are  de- 
voted to  the  subjects  of  slavery,  uncompensated 
labor,  and  the  excessive  toil  and  suffering  of  the 
many  to  support  the  luxury  of  the  few.  The  argu- 
ment running  through  them  is  searching,  and  in  its 
conclusions  uncompromising,  but  a  tender  love  for 
the  wrong-doer  as  well  as  the  sufferer  underlies  all. 
They  aim  to  convince  the  judgment  and  reach  the 
heart  without  awakening  prejudice  and  passion.  To 
the  slaveholders  of  his  time  they  must  have  seemed 
like  the  voice  of  conscience  speaking  to  them  in  the 
cool  of  the  day.  One  feels,  in  reading  them,  the  ten- 
derness and  humility  of  a  nature  redeemed  from  all 
pride  of  opinion  and  self-righteousness,  sinking  itself 
out  of  sight,  and  intent  only  upon  rendering  smaller 
the  sum  of  human  sorrow  and  sin  by  drawing  men 
nearer  to  God  and  to  each  other.  The  style  is  that 
of  a  man  unlettered,  but  with  natural  refinement 
and  delicate  sense  of  fitness,  the  purity  of  whose 
heart  enters  into  his  language.  There  is  no  attempt 
at  fine  writing,  not  a  word  or  phrase  for  effect ;  it  is 
the  simple  unadorned  diction  of  one  to  whom  the 
temptations  of  the  pen  seem  to  have  been  wholly 
unknown.  He  wrote  as  he  believed  from  an  in- 
ward spiritual  prompting ;  and  with  all  his  un- 
affected humility  he  evidently  felt  that  his  work 
was  done  in  the  clear  radiance  of 

"  The  light  which  never  was  on  land  or  sea." 

It  was  not  for  him  to  outrun  his  Guide,  or,  as  Sir 
Thomas  Browne  expresses  it,  to  "  order  the  finger 
2*  c 


34  Introduction. 

of  the  Almighty  to  his  will  and  pleasure,  but  to  sit 
still  under  the  soft  showers  of  Providence."  Very 
wise  are  these  essays,  but  their  wisdom  is  not  alto- 
gether that  of  this  world.  They  lead  one  away 
from  all  the  jealousies,  strifes,  and  competitions  of 
luxury,  fashion,  and  gain,  out  of  the  close  air  of 
parties  and  sects,  into  a  region  of  calmness,  — 

"  The  haunt 

Of  every  gentle  wind  whose  breath  can  teach 
The  wild  to  love  tranquillity,"  — 

a  quiet  habitation  where  all  things  are  ordered  in 
what  he  calls  "  the  pure  reason  "  ;  a  rest  from  all 
self-seeking,  and  where  no  man's  interest  or  activity 
conflicts  with  that  of  another.  Beauty  they  certainly 
have,  but  it  is  not  that  which  the  rules  of  art  recog- 
nize \  a  certain  indefinable  purity  pervades  them, 
making  one  sensible,  as  he  reads,  of  a  sweetness  as 
of  violets.  "  The  secret  of  Woolman's  purity  of 
style,"  said  Dr.  Channing,  "  is  that  his  eye  was 
single,  and  that  conscience  dictated  his  words." 

Of  course  we  are  not  to  look  to  the  writings  of 
such  a  man  for  tricks  of  rhetoric,  the  free  play  of 
imagination,  or  the  unscrupulousness  of  epigram 
and  antithesis.  He  wrote  as  he  lived,  conscious 
of  "  the  great  Task-master's  eye."  With  the  wise 
heathen  Marcus  Aurelius  Antoninus  he  had  learned 
to  "  wipe  out  imaginations,  to  check  desire,  and  let 
the  spirit  that  is  the  gift  of  God  to  every  man,  as 
his  guardian  and  guide,  bear  rule." 

I  have  thought  it  inexpedient  to  swell  the  bulk 
of  this  volume  with  the  entire  writings  appended  to 


Introduction.  35 

the  old  edition  of  the  Journal,  inasmuch  as  they 
mainly  refer  to  a  system  which  happily  on  this  con- 
tinent is  no  longer  a  question  at  issue.  I  content 
myself  with  throwing  together  a  few  passages  from 
them  which  touch  subjects  of  present  interest ; 
and  in  the  Appendix  at  the  close  of  this  volume  will 
be  found  one  of  the  last  written  and  longest  of  his 
papers,  —  "  A  Word  of  Remembrance  and  Caution 
to  the  Rich." 

"  Selfish  men  may  possess  the  earth :  it  is  the 
meek  alone  who  inherit  it  from  the  Heavenly 
Father  free  from  all  defilements  and  perplexities 
of  unrighteousness." 

"Whoever  rightly  advocates  the  cause  of  some, 
thereby  promotes  the  good  of  the  whole." 

"  If  one  suffer  by  the  unfaithfulness  of  another, 
the  mind,  the  most  noble  part  of  him  that  occasions 
the  discord,  is  thereby  alienated  from  its  true  happi- 
ness." 

"  There  is  harmony  in  the  several  parts  of  the 
Divine  work  in  the  hearts  of  men.  He  who  leads 
them  to  cease  from  those  gainful  employments 
which  are  carried  on  in  the  wisdom  which  is  from 
beneath  delivers  also  from  the  desire  of  worldly 
greatness,  and  reconciles  to  a  life  so  plain  that  a 
little  suffices." 

"  After  days  and  nights  of  drought,  when  the  sky 
hath  grown  dark,  and  clouds  like  lakes  of  water 
have  hung  over  our  heads,  I  have  at  times  beheld 
with  awfulness  the  vehement  lightning  accompany- 
ing the  blessings  of  the  rain,  a  messenger  from 


36  Introduction. 

Him  to  remind  us  of  our  duty  in  a  right  use  of  his 
benefits." 

"  The  marks  of  famine  in  a  land  appear  as  hum- 
bling admonitions  from  God,  instructing  us  by  gen- 
tle chastisements,  that  we  may  remember  that  the 
outward  supply  of  life  is  a  gift  from  our  Heavenly 
Father,  and  that  we  should  not  venture  to  use  or 
apply  that  gift  in  a  way  contrary  to  pure  reason." 

"  Oppression  in  the  extreme  appears  terrible  ; 
but  oppression  in  more  refined  appearances  re- 
mains to  be  oppression.  To  labor  for  a  perfect 
redemption  from  the  spirit  of  it  is  the  great  busi- 
ness of  the  whole  family  of  Jesus  Christ  in  this 
world." 

"In  the  obedience  of  faith  we  die  to  self-love, 
and,  our  life  being  '  hid  with  Christ  in  God,'  our 
hearts  are  enlarged  towards  mankind  universally  ; 
but  many  in  striving  to  get  treasures  have  departed 
from  this  true  light  of  life  and  stumbled  on  the  dark 
mountains.  That  purity  of  life  which  proceeds 
from  faithfulness  in  following  the  pure  spirit  of 
truth,  that  state  in  which  our  minds  are  devoted  to 
serve  God,  and  all  our  wants  are  bounded  by  his 
wisdom,  has  often  been  opened  to  me  as  a  place 
of  retirement  for  the  children  of  the  light,  in  which 
we  may  be  separated  from  that  which  disordereth 
and  confuseth  the  affairs  of  society,  and  may  have 
a  testimony  for  our  innocence  in  the  hearts  of  those 
who  behold  us." 

"  There  is  a  principle  which  is  pure,  placed  in  the 
human  mind,  which  in  different  places  and  ages 


Introduction.  37 

hath  had  different  names  ;  it  is,  however,  pure,  and 
proceeds  from  God.  It  is  deep  and  inward,  con- 
fined to  no  forms  of  religion  nor  excluded  from  any, 
wfan  the  heart  stands  in  perfect  sincerity.  In  whom- 
soever this  takes  root  and  grows,  they  become 
brethren." 

"  The  necessity  of  an  inward  stillness  hath  ap- 
peared clear  to  my  mind.  In  true  silence  strength 
is  renewed,  and  the  mind  is  weaned  from  all  things, 
save  as  they  may  be  enjoyed  in  the  Divine  will ;  and 
a  lowliness  in  outward  living,  opposite  to  worldly 
honor,  becomes  truly  acceptable  to  us.  In  the 
desire  after  outward  gain  the  mind  is  prevented 
from  a  perfect  attention  to  the  voice  of  Christ ;  yet 
being  weaned  from  all  things,  except  as  they  may 
be  enjoyed  in  the  Divine  will,  the  pure  light  shines 
into  the  soul.  Where  the  fruits  of  the  spirit  which 
is  of  this  world  are  brought  forth  by  many  who 
profess  to  be  led  by  the  Spirit  of  truth,  and  cloudi- 
ness is  felt  to  be  gathering  over  the  visible  church, 
the  sincere  in  heart,  who  abide  in  true  stillness, 
and  are  exercised  therein  before  the  Lord  for  his 
name's  sake,  have  knowledge  of  Christ  in  the  fel- 
lowship of  his  sufferings  ;  and  inward  thankfulness 
is  felt  at  times,  that  through  Divine  love  our  own 
wisdom  is  cast  out,  and  that  forward,  active  part  in 
us  is  subjected,  which  would  rise  and  do  something 
without  the  pure  leadings  of  the  spirit  of  Christ. 

"  While  aught  remains  in  us  contrary  to  a  perfect 
resignation  of  our  wills,  it  is  like  a  seal  to  the  book 
wherein  is  written  '  that  good  and  acceptable  and 


3  8  Introduction . 

perfect  will  of  God  '  concerning  us.  But  when  our 
minds  entirely  yield  to  Christ,  that  silence  is  known 
which  follovveth  the  opening  of  the  last  of  the  seals. 
In  this  silence  we  learn  to  abide  in  the  Divine  will, 
and  there  feel  that  we  have  no  cause  to  promote 
except  that  alone  in  which  the  light  of  life  directs 
us." 

Occasionally,  in  "  Considerations  on  the  Keeping 
of  Negroes,"  the  intense  interest  of  his  subject  gives 
his  language  something  of  passionate  elevation,  as 
in  the  following  extract :  — 

"When  trade  is  carried  on  productive  of  much 
misery,  and  they  who  suffer  by  it  are  many  thou- 
sand miles  off,  the  danger  is  the  greater  of  not  lay- 
ing their  sufferings  to  heart.  In  procuring  slaves 
on  the  coast  of  Africa,  marly  children  are  stolen 
privately ;  wars  are  encouraged  among  the  negroes, 
but  all  is  at  a  great  distance.  Many  groans 
arise  from  dying  men  which  we  hear  not.  Many 
cries  are  uttered  by  widows  and  fatherless  children 
which  reach  not  our  ears.  Many  cheeks  are  wet 
with  tears,  and  faces  sad  with  unutterable  grief, 
which  we  see  not.  Cruel  tyranny  is  encouraged. 
The  hands  of  robbers  are  strengthened. 

"  Were  we,  for  the  term  of  one  year  only,  to  be 
eye-witnesses  of  what  passeth  in  getting  these 
slaves;  were  the  blood  that  is  there  shed  to  be 
sprinkled  on  our  garments  ;  were  the  poor  cap- 
tives, bound  with  thongs,  and  heavily  laden  with 
elephants'  teeth,  to  pass  before  our  eyes  on  their 
way  to  the  sea ;  were  their  bitter  lamentations,  day 


Introduction.  39 

after  day,  to  ring  in  our  ears,  and  their  mournful 
cries  in  the  night  to  hinder  us  from  sleeping,  —  were 
we  to  behold  and  hear  these  things,  what  pious 
heart  would  not  be  deeply  affected  with  sorrow  ! " 

"  It  is  good  for  those  who  live  in  fulness  to  cul- 
tivate tenderness  of  heart,  and  to  improve  every 
opportunity  of  being  acquainted  with  the  hardships 
and  fatigues  of  those  who  labor  for  their  living, 
and  thus  to  think  seriously  with  themselves :  Am 
I  influenced  by  true  charity  in  fixing  all  my  de- 
mands ?  Have  I  no  desire  to  support  myself  in 
expensive  customs,  because  my  acquaintances  live 
in  such  customs  ? 

"  If  a  wealthy  man,  on  serious  reflection,  finds  a 
witness  in  his  own  conscience  that  he  indulges 
himself  in  some  expensive  habits,  which  might  be 
omitted,  consistently  with  the  true  design  of  living, 
and  which,  were  he  to  change  places  with  those 
who  occupy  his  estate,  he  would  desire  to  be  dis- 
continued by  them ;  whoever  is  thus  awakened  will 
necessarily  find  the  injunction  binding,  'Do  ye 
even  so  to  them.'  Divine  Love  imposeth  no  rigor- 
ous or  unreasonable  commands,  but  graciously 
points  out  the  spirit  of  brotherhood  and  the  way 
to  happiness,  in  attaining  which  it  is  necessary 
that  we  relinquish  all  that  is  selfish. 

"  Our  gracious  Creator  cares  and  provides  for  all 
his  creatures ;  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his 
works,  and  so  far  as  true  love  influences  our  minds, 
so  far  we  become  interested  in  his  workmanship, 
and  feel  a  desire  to  make  use  of  every  opportunity 


4O  Introduction. 

to  lessen  the  distresses  of  the  afflicted,  and  to  in- 
crease the  happiness  of  the  creation.  Here  we 
have  a  prospect  of  one  common  interest  from 
which  our  own  is  inseparable,  so  that  to  turn  all 
we  possess  into  the  channel  of  universal  love  be- 
comes the  business  of  our  lives." 

His  liberality  and  freedom  from  "  all  narrowness 
as  to  sects  and  opinions"  are  manifest  in  the  fol- 
lowing passages  :  — 

"  Men  who  sincerely  apply  their  minds  to  true 
virtue,  and  find  an  inward  support  from  above,  by 
which  all  vicious  inclinations  are  made  subject ; 
who  love  God  sincerely,  and  prefer  the  real  good 
of  mankind  universally  to  their  own  private  inter- 
est, —  though  these,  through  the  strength  of  educa- 
tion and  tradition,  may  remain  under  some  great 
speculative  errors,  it  would  be  uncharitable  to  say 
that  therefore  God  rejects  them.  The  knowledge 
and  goodness  of  Him  who  creates,  supports,  and 
gives  understanding  to  all  men,  are  superior  to  the 
various  states  and  circumstances  of  his  creatures, 
which  to  us  appear  the  most  difficult.  Idolatry  in- 
deed is  wickedness  ;  but  it  is  the  thing,  not  the 
name,  which  is  so.  Real  idolatry  is  to  pay  that 
adoration  to  a  creature  which  is  known  to  be  due 
only  to  the  true  God. 

"  He  who  professeth  to  believe  in  one  Almighty 
Creator,  and  in  his  Son  Jesus  Christ;  and  is  yet 
more  intent  on  the  honors,  profits,  and  friendships 
of  the  world  than  he  is,  in  singleness  of  heart,  to 
stand  faithful  to  the  Christian  religion,  is  in  the 


Introduction.  41 

channel  of  idolatry ;  while  the  Gentile,  who,  not- 
withstanding some  mistaken  opinions,  is  estab- 
lished in  the  true  principle  of  virtue,  and  humbly 
adores  an  Almighty  Power,  may  be  of  the  number 
that  fear  God  and  work  righteousness." 

Nowhere  has  what  is  called  the  "Labor  Ques- 
tion," which  is  now  agitating  the  world,  been  dis- 
cussed more  wisely  and  with  a  broader  humanity 
than  in  these  essays.  His  sympathies  were  with 
the  poor  man,  yet  the  rich  too  are  his  brethren, 
and  he  warns  them  in  love  and  pity  of  the  conse- 
quences of  luxury  and  oppression  :  — 

"Every  degree  of  luxury,  every  demand  for 
money  inconsistent  with  the  Divine  order,  hath 
connection  with  unnecessary  labors." 

"  To  treasure  up  wealth  for  another  generation, 
by  means  of  the  immoderate  labor  of  those  who  in 
some  measure  depend  upon  us,  is  doing  evil  at 
present,  without  knowing  that  wealth  thus  gathered 
may  not  be  applied  to  evil  purposes  when  we  are 
gone.  To  labor  hard,  or  cause  others  to  do  so, 
that  we  may  live  conformably  to  customs  which 
our  Redeemer  discountenanced  by  his  example, 
and  which  are  contrary  to  Divine  order,  is  to  ma- 
nure a  soil  for  propagating  an  evil  seed  in  the 
earth." 

"  When  house  is  joined  to  house,  and  field  laid 
to  field,  until  there  is  no  place,  and  the  poor  are 
thereby  straitened,  though  this  is  done  by  bargain 
and  purchase,  yet  so  far  as  it  stands  distinguished 
from  universal  love,  so  far  that  woe  predicted  by 


42  Introduction. 

the  prophet  will  accompany  their  proceedings.  As 
He  who  first  founded  the  earth  was  then  the  true 
proprietor  of  it,  so  he  still  remains,  and  though  he 
hath  given  it  to  the  children  of  men,  so  that  mul- 
titudes of  people  have  had  their  sustenance  from 
it  while  they  continued  here,  yet  he  hath  never 
alienated  it,  but  his  right  is  as  good  as  at  first ;  nor 
can  any  apply  the  increase  of  their  possessions  con- 
trary to  universal  love,  nor  dispose  of  lands  in  a 
way  which  they  know  tends  to  exalt  some  by 
oppressing  others,  without  being  justly  chargeable 
with  usurpation." 

It  will  not  lessen  the  value  of  the  foregoing  ex- 
tracts in  the  minds  of  the  true  disciples  of  our 
Divine  Lord,  that  they  are  manifestly  not  written 
to  subserve  the  interests  of  a  narrow  sectarian- 
ism. They  might  have  been  penned  by  Fenelon 
in  his  time,  or  Robertson  in  ours,  dealing  as  they 
do  with  Christian  practice,  —  the  life  of  Christ 
manifesting  itself  in  purity  and  goodness,  —  rather 
than  with  the  dogmas  of  theology.  The  underlying 
thought  of  all  is  simple  obedience  to  the  Divine 
word  in  the  soul.  "  Not  every  one  that  saith  unto 
me  Lord,  Lord,  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  in 
heaven."  In  the  preface  to  an  English  edition, 
published  some  years  ago,  it  is  intimated  that  ob- 
jections had  been  raised  to  the  Journal  on  the 
ground  that  it  had  so  little  to  say  of  doctrines  and 
so  much  of  duties.  One  may  easily  understand 
that  this  objection  might  have  been  forcibly  felt  by 


Introduction.  43 

the  slaveholding  religious  professors  of  his  day, 
and  that  it  may  still  be  entertained  by  a  class  of 
persons  who,  like  the  Cabalists,  attach  a  certain 
mystical  significance  to  words,  names,  and  titles, 
and  who,  in  consequence,  question  the  piety  which 
hesitates  to  flatter  the  Divine  ear  by  "  vain  repeti- 
tions "  and  formal  enumeration  of  sacred  attributes, 
dignities,  and  offices.  Every  instinct  of  his  ten- 
derly sensitive  nature  shrank  from  the  wordy  irreve- 
rence of  noisy  profession.  His  very  silence  is  sig- 
nificant. The  husks  of  emptiness  rustle  in  every 
wind ;  the  full  corn  in  the  ear  holds  up  its  golden  fruit 
noiselessly  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest.  John  Wool- 
man's  faith,  like  the  Apostle's,  is  manifested  by  his 
labors,  standing  not  in  words  but  in  the  demonstra- 
tion of  the  spirit,  —  a  faith  that  works  by  love  to  the 
purifying  of  the  heart.  The  entire  outcome  of  this 
faith  was  love  manifested  in  reverent  waiting  upon 
God,  and  in  that  untiring  benevolence,  that  quiet 
but  deep  enthusiasm  of  humanity,  which  made  his 
daily  service  to  his  fellow-creatures  a  hymn  of 
praise  to  the  common  Father. 

However  the  intellect  may  criticise  such  a  life, 
whatever  defects  it  may  present  to  the  trained  eyes 
of  theological  adepts,  the  heart  has  no  questions  to 
ask,  but  at  once  owns  and  reveres  it.  Shall  we 
regret  that  he  who  had  so  entered  into  fellowship 
of  suffering  with  the  Divine  One,  walking  with  him 
under  the  cross,  and  dying  daily  to  self,  gave  to 
the  faith  and  hope  that  were  in  him  this  testimony 
of  a  life,  rather  than  any  form  of  words,  however 


44  Introduction. 

sound  ?  A  true  life  is  at  once  interpreter  and 
proof  of  the  gospel,  and  does  more  to  establish  its 
truth  in  the  hearts  of  men  than  all  the  "  Evidences" 
and  "-Bodies  of  Divinity "  which  have  perplexed 
the  world  with  more  doubts  than  they  solved. 
Shall  we  venture  to  account  it  a  defect  in  his 
Christian  character,  that,  under  an  abiding  sense  of 
the  goodness  and  long-suffering  of  God,  he  wrought 
his  work  in  gentleness  and  compassion,  with  the 
delicate  tenderness  which  comes  of  a  deep  sympa- 
thy with  the  trials  and  weaknesses  of  our  nature, 
never  allowing  himself  to  indulge  in  heat  or  vio- 
lence, persuading  rather  than  threatening  ?  Did  he 
overestimate  that  immeasurable  Love,  the  manifes- 
tation of  which  in  his  own  heart  so  reached  the 
hearts  of  others,  revealing  everywhere  unsuspected 
fountains  of  feeling  and  secret  longings  after  purity, 
as  the  rod  of  the  diviner  detects  sweet,  cool  water- 
springs  under  the  parched  surfaces  of  a  thirsty 
land  ?  And,  looking  at  the  purity,  wisdom,  and 
sweetness  of  his  life,  who  shall  say  that  his  faith  in 
the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit  —  the  interior  guide  ' 
and  light  —  was  a  mistaken  one?  Surely  it  was 
no  illusion  by  which  his  feet  were  so  guided  that  all 
who  saw  him  felt  that,  like  Enoch,  he  walked  with 
God.  "  Without  the  actual  inspiration  of  the  Spirit 
of  Grace,  the  inward  teacher  and  soul  of  our  souls," 
says  Fe'nelon,  "  we  could  neither  do,  will,  nor  believe 
good.  We  must  silence  every  creature,  we  must 
silence  ourselves  also,  to  hear  in  a  profound  stillness 
of  the  soul  this  inexpressible  voice  of  Christ.  The 


Introduction.  45 

outward  word  of  the  gospel  itself  without  this  liv- 
ing efficacious  word  within  would  be  but  an  empty 
sound."  *  "  Thou  Lord,"  says  Augustine  in  his 
Meditations,  "  communicatest  thyself  to  all  :  thou 
teachest  the  heart  without  words ;  thou  speakest 
to  it  without  articulate  sounds."  Never  was  this 
divine  principle  more  fully  tested  than  by  John 
Woolman  ;  and  the  result  is  seen  in  a  life  of  such 
rare  excellence  that  the  world  is  still  better  and 
richer  for  its  sake,  and  the  fragrance  of  it  comes 
down  to  us  through  a  century,  still  sweet  and  pre- 
cious. 

It  will  be  noted  throughout  the  Journal  and 
essays  that  in  his  life-long  testimony  against  wrong 
he  never  lost  sight  of  the  oneness  of  humanity,  its 
common  responsibility,  its  fellowship  of  suffering 
and  communion  of  sin.  Few  have  ever  had  so 
profound  a  conviction  of  the  truth  of  the  Apostle's 
declaration  that  no  man  liveth  and  no  man  dieth  to 
himself.  Sin  was  not  to  him  an  isolated  fact,  the 
responsibility  of  which  began  and  ended  with  the 
individual  transgressor  ;  he  saw  it  as  a  part  of  a 
vast  network  and  entanglement,  and  traced  the 
lines  of  influence  converging  upon  it  in  the  under- 
world of  causation.  Hence  the  wrong  and  discord 
which  pained  him  called  out  pity,  rather  than  indig- 

*  "  However,  I  am  sure  that  there  is  a  common  spirit  that 
plays  within  us,  and  that  is  the  Spirit  of  God.  Whoever 
feels  not  the  warm  gale  and  gentle  ventilation  of  this  Spirit,  I 
dare  not  say  he  lives ;  for  truly  without  this  to  me  there  is 
no  heat  under  the  tropic,  nor  any  light  though  I  dwelt  in  the 
body  of  the  sun."  —  Sir  Thomas  Browne's  Religio  Medici. 


46  Introduction. 

nation.  The  first  inquiry  which  they;  awakened 
was  addressed  to  his  own  conscience.  How  far 
am  I  in  thought,  word,  custom,  responsible  for 
this  ?  Have  none  of  my  fellow-creatures  an  equi- 
table right  to  any  part  which  is  called  mine  ?  Have 
the  gifts  and  possessions  received  by  me  from 
others  been  conveyed  in  a  way  free  from  all  un- 
righteousness ?  "Through  abiding  in  the  law  of 
Christ,"  he  says,  "  we  feel  a  tenderness  towards  our 
fellow-creatures,  and  a  concern  so  to  walk  that  our 
conduct  may  not  be  the  means  of  strengthening 
them  in  error."  He  constantly  recurs  to  the  impor- 
tance of  a  right  example  in  those  who  profess  to  be 
led  by  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  who  attempt  to  labor 
in  his  name  for  the  benefit  of  their  fellow-men.  If 
such  neglect  or  refuse  themselves  to  act  rightly, 
they  can  but  "entangle  the  minds  of  others  and 
draw  a  veil  over  the  face  of  righteousness"  His  eyes 
were  anointed  to  see  the  common  point  of  depar- 
ture from  the  Divine  harmony,  and  that  all  the 
varied  growths  of  evil  had  their  underlying  root  in 
human  selfishness.  He  saw  that  every  sin  of  the 
individual  was  shared  in  greater  or  less  degree  by 
all  whose  lives  were  opposed  to  the  Divine  order, 
and  that  pride,  luxury,  and  avarice  in  one  class 
gave  motive  and  temptation  to  the  grosser  forms  of 
evil  in  another.  How  gentle,  and  yet  how  searching, 
are  his  rebukes  of  self-complacent  respectability, 
holding  it  responsible,  in  spite  of  all  its  decent 
seemings,  for  much  of  the  depravity  which  it  con- 
demned with  Pharisaical  harshness  !  In  his  "  Con- 


Introduction.  47 

siderations  on  the  True  Harmony  of  Mankind,"  he 
dwells  with  great  earnestness  upon  the  importance 
of  possessing  "  the  mind  of  Christ,"  which  removes 
from  the  heart  the  desire  of  superiority  and  worldly 
honors,  incites  attention  to  the  Divine  Counsellor 
and  awakens  an  ardent  engagement  to  promote  the 
happiness  of  all.  "  This  state"  he  says,  "  in  which 
every  motion  from  the  selfish  spirit  yieldeth  to  pure 
love,  I  may  acknowledge  with  gratitude  to  the  Father 
of  Mercies,  is  often  opened  before  me  as  a  pearl  to  seek 
after." 

"  At  times  when  I  have  felt  true  love  open  my 
heart  towards  my  fellow-creatures,  and  have  been 
engaged  in  weighty  conversation  in  the  cause  of 
righteousness,  the  instructions  I  have  received 
under  these  exercises  in  regard  to  the  true  use  of 
the  outward  gifts  of  God  have  made  deep  and 
lasting  impressions  on  my  mind.  I  have  beheld 
how  the  desire  to  provide  wealth  and  to  uphold  a 
delicate  life  has  grievously  entangled  many,  and 
has  been  like  a  snare  to  their  offspring ;  and 
though  some  have  been  affected  with  a  sense  of 
their  difficulties,  and  have  appeared  desirous  at 
times  to  be  helped  out  of  them,  yet  for  want  of 
abiding  under  the  humbling  power  of  truth  they 
have  continued  in  these  entanglements  ;  expensive 
living  in  parents  and  children  hath  called  for  a 
large  supply,  and  in  answering  this  call  the  '  faces 
of  the  poor '  have  been  ground  away,  and  made 
thin  through  hard  dealing. 

"There  is  balm;  there  is  a  physician  !  and  O  what 


48  Introduction. 

longings  do  I  feel  that  we  may  embrace  the  means 
appointed  for  our  healing  ;  may  know  that  removed 
which  now  ministers  cause  for  the  cries  of  many  to 
ascend  to  Heaven  against  their  oppressors ;  and 
that  thus  we  may  see  the  true  harmony  restored  !  — 
a  restoration  of  that  which  was  lost  at  Babel,  and 
which  will  be,  as  the  prophet  expresses  it,  '  the  re- 
turning of  a  pure  language ! ' ' 

It  is  easy  to  conceive  how  unwelcome  this  clear 
spiritual  insight  must  have  been  to  the  superficial 
professors  of  his  time  busy  in  tithing  mint,  anise, 
and  cummin.  There  must  have  been  something 
awful  in  the  presence  of  one  endowed  with  the  gift 
of  looking  through  all  the  forms,  shows,  and  pre- 
'tensions  of  society,  and  detecting  with  certainty  the 
germs  of  evil  hidden  beneath  them  ;  a  man  gentle 
and  full  of  compassion,  clothed  in  "  the  irresistible 
might  of  meekness,"  and  yet  so  wise  in  spiritual 
discernment, 

"  Bearing  a  touchstone  in  his  hand 
And  testing  all  things  in  the  land 
By  his  unerring  spell. 

"  Quick  births  of  transmutation  smote 
The  fair  to  foul,  the  foul  to  fair ; 
Purple  nor  ermine  did  he  spare, 
Nor  scorn  the  dusty  coat." 

In  bringing  to  a  close  this  paper,  the  preparation 
of  which  has  been  to  me  a  labor  of  love,  I  am 
not  unmindful  of  the  wide  difference  between  the 
appreciation  of  a  pure  and  true  life  and  the  living 
of  it,  and  am  willing  to  own  that  in  delineating  a 


Introduction.  49 

character  of  such  moral  and  spiritual  symmetry  I 
have  felt  something  like  rebuke  from  my  own  words. 
I  have  been  awed  and  solemnized  by  the  presence 
of  a  serene  and  beautiful  spirit  redeemed  of  the 
Lord  from  all  selfishness,  and  I  have  been  made 
thankful  for  the  ability  to  recognize  and  the  dispo- 
sition to  love  him.  I  leave  the  book  with  its  read- 
ers. They  may  possibly  make  large  deductions 
from  my  estimate  of  the  author ;  they  may  not  see 
the  importance  of  all  his  self-denying  testimonies  ; 
they  may  question  some  of  his  scruples,  and  smile 
over  passages  of  childlike  simplicity;  —  but  I  be- 
lieve they  will  all  agree  in  thanking  me  for  intro- 
ducing them  to  the  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

J.  G.  W. 

AMESBURY,  aoth  ist  mo.,  1871. 


THE 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN, 


CHAPTER  I. 

1720-1742. 

His  Birth  and  Parentage.  —  Some  Account  of  the  Opera- 
tions of  Divine  Grace  on  his  Mind  in  his  Youth.  —  His 
first  Appearance  in  the  Ministry.  —  And  his  Considera- 
tions, while  Young,  on  the  Keeping  of  Slaves. 

I    HAVE  often  felt  a  motion  of  love  to  leave 
some  hints  in  writing  of  my  experience  of  the 
goodness  of  God,  and  now,  in  the  thirty-sixth  year 
of  my  age,  I  begin  this  work. 

I  was  born  in  Northampton,  in  Burlington 
County,  West  Jersey,  in  the  year  1720.  Before 
I  was  seven  years  old  I  began  to  be  acquainted 
with  the  operations  of  Divine  love.  Through  the 
care  of  my  parents,  I  was  taught  to  read  nearly  as 
soon  as  I  was  capable  of  it ;  and  as  I  went  from 
school  one  day,  I  remember  that  while  my  compan- 
ions were  playing  by  the  way,  I  went  forward  out  of 
sight,  and,  sitting  down,  I  read  the  twenty-second 
chapter  of  Revelation :  "  He  showed  me  a  pure 
river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal,  proceeding 
out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb,  &c." 


52        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

In  reading  it,  my  mind  was  drawn  to  seek  after 
that  pure  habitation  which  I  then  believed  God 
had  prepared  for  his  servants.  The  place,  where  I 
sat,  and  the  sweetness  that  attended  my  mind, 
remain  fresh  in  my  memory.  This,  and  the  like 
gracious  visitations,  had  such  an  effect  upon  me 
that  when  boys  used  ill  language  it  troubled  me ; 
and,  through  the  continued  mercies  of  God,  I  was 
preserved  from  that  evil. 

The  pious  instructions  of  my  parents  were  often 
fresh  in  my  mind,  when  I  happened  to  be  among 
wicked  children,  and  were  of  use  to  me.  Having 
a  large  family  of  children,  they  used  frequently,  on 
first-days,  after  meeting,  to  set  us  one  after  another 
to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  or  some  religious  books, 
the  rest  sitting  by  without  much  conversation  ;  I 
have  since  often  thought  it  was  a  good  practice. 
From  what  I  had  read  and  heard,  I  believed  there 
had  been,  in  past  ages,  people  who  walked  in  upright- 
ness before  God  in  a  degree  exceeding  any  that  I 
knew  or  heard  of  now  living :  and  the  apprehen- 
sion of  there  being  less  steadiness  and  firmness 
amongst  people  in  the  present  age  often  troubled 
me  while  I  was  a  child. 

I  may  here  mention  a  remarkable  circumstance 
that  occurred  in  my  childhood.  On  going  to  a 
neighbor's  house,  I  saw  on  the  way  a  robin  sitting 
on  her  nest,  and  as  I  came  near  she  went  off;  but 
having  young  ones,  she  flew  about,  and  with  many 
cries  expressed  her  concern  for  them.  I  stood  and 
threw  stones  at  her,  and  one  striking  her  she  fell 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        53 

down  dead.  At  first  I  was  pleased  with  the  ex- 
ploit, but  after  a  few  minutes  was  seized  with  hor- 
ror, at  having,  in  a  sportive  way,  killed  an  innocent 
creature  while  she  was  careful  for  her  young.  I 
beheld  her  lying  dead,  and  thought  those  young 
ones,  for  which  she  was  so  careful,  must  now  perish 
for  want  of  their  dam  to  nourish  them.  After  some 
painful  considerations  on  the  subject,  I  climbed  up 
the  tree,  took  all  the  young  birds,  and  killed  them, 
supposing  that  better  than  to  leave  them  to  pine 
away  and  die  miserably.  In  this  case  I  believed 
that  Scripture  proverb  was  fulfilled,  "The  tender 
mercies  of  the  wicked  are  cruel."  I  then  went  on 
my  errand,  and  for  some  hours  could  think  of  little 
else  but  the  cruelties  I  had  committed,  and  was 
much  troubled.  Thus  He  whose  tender  mercies 
are  over  all  his  works  hath  placed  a  principle  in 
the  human  mind,  which  incites  to  exercise  good- 
ness towards  every  living  creature ;  and  this  being 
singly  attended  to,  people  become  tender-hearted 
and  sympathizing  ;  but  when  frequently  and  totally 
rejected,  the  mind  becomes  shut  up  in  a  contrary 
disposition. 

About  the  twelfth  year  of  my  age,  my  father 
being  abroad,  my  mother  reproved  me  for  some 
misconduct,  to  which  I  made  an  undutiful  reply. 
The  next  first-day,  as  I  was  with  my  father  returning 
from  meeting,  he  told  me  that  he  understood  I  had 
behaved  amiss  to  my  mother,  and  advised  me  to  be 
more  careful  in  future.  I  knew  myself  blamable, 
and  in  shame  and  confusion  remained  silent.  Being 


54        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

thus  awakened  to  a  sense  of  my  wickedness,  I  felt 
remorse  in  my  mind,  and  on  getting  home  I  retired 
and  prayed  to  the  Lord  to  forgive  me,  and  I  do  not 
remember  that  I  ever  afterwards  spoke  unhand- 
somely to  either  of  my  parents,  however  foolish  in 
some  other  things. 

Having  attained  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  I  began 
to  love  wanton  company ;  and  though  I  was  pre- 
served from  profane  language  or  scandalous  con- 
duct, yet  I  perceived  a  plant  in  me  which  produced 
much  wild  grapes  ;  my  merciful  Father  did  not,  how- 
ever, forsake  me  utterly,  but  at  times,  through  his 
grace,  I  was  brought  seriously  to  consider  my  ways  ; 
and  the  sight  of  my  backslidings  affected  me  with 
sorrow,  yet  for  want  of  rightly  attending  to  the  re- 
proofs of  instruction,  vanity  was  added  to  vanity, 
and  repentance  to  repentance.  Upon  the  whole, 
my  mind  became  more  and  more  alienated  from 
the  truth,  and  I  hastened  toward  destruction. 
While  I  meditate  on  the  gulf  towards  which  I 
travelled,  and  reflect  on  my  youthful  disobedience, 
for  these  things  I  weep,  mine  eye  runneth  down 
with  water. 

Advancing  in  age,  the  number  of  my  acquaint- 
ance increased,  and  thereby  my  way  grew  more 
difficult.  Though  I  had  found  comfort  in  reading 
the  Holy  Scriptures  and  thinking  on  heavenly  things, 
I  was  now  estranged  therefrom.  I  knew  I  was 
going  from  the  flock  of  Christ  and  had  no  resolu- 
tion to  return,  hence  serious  reflections  were  un- 
easy to  me,  and  youthful  vanities  and  diversions 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        55 

were  my  greatest  pleasure.  In  this  road  I  found 
many  like  myself,  and  we  associated  in  that  which 
is  adverse  to  true  friendship. 

In  this  swift  race  it  pleased  God  to  visit  me  with 
sickness,  so  that  I  doubted  of  recovery ;  then  did 
darkness,  horror,  and  amazement  with  full  force 
seize  me,  even  when  my  pain  and  distress  of  body 
were  very  great.  I  thought  it  would  have  been 
better  for  me  never  to  have  had  being,  than  to  see 
the  day  which  I  now  saw.  I  was  filled  with  con- 
fusion, and  in  great  affliction,  both  of  mind  and 
body,  I  lay  and  bewailed  myself.  I  had  not  con- 
fidence to  lift  up  my  cries  to  God,  whom  I  had  thus 
offended  ;  but  in  a  deep  sense  of  my  great  folly  I 
was  humbled  before  him.  At  length  that  word 
which  is  as  a  fire  and  a  hammer  broke  and  dis- 
solved my  rebellious  heart ;  my  cries  were  put  up 
in  contrition  ;  and  in  the  multitude  of  his  mercies  I 
found  inward  relief,  and  a  close  engagement  that  if 
he  was  pleased  to  restore  my  health  I  might  walk 
humbly  before  him. 

After  my  recovery  this  exercise  remained  with 
me  a  considerable  time,  but  by  degrees  giving  way 
to  youthful  vanities,  and  associating  with  wanton 
young  people,  I  lost  ground.  The  Lord  had  been 
very  gracious,  and  spoke  peace  to  me  in  the  time 
of  my  distress,  and  I  now  most  ungratefully  turned 
again  to  folly ;  at  times  I  felt  sharp  reproof,  but  I 
did  not  get  low  enough  to  cry  for  help.  I  was  not 
so  hardy  as  to  commit  things  scandalous,  but  to 
exceed  in  vanity  and  to  promote  mirth  was  my 


56        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

chief  study.  Still  I  retained  a  love  and  esteem  for 
pious  people,  and  their  company  brought  an  awe 
upon  me.  My  dear  parents  several  times  ad- 
monished me  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  their 
admonition  entered  into  my  heart  and  had  a  good 
effect  for  a  season  ;  but  not  getting  deep  enough  to 
pray  rightly,  the  tempter,  when  he  came,  found  en- 
trance. Once  having  spent  a  part  of  the  day  in 
wantonness,  when  I  went  to  bed  at  night  there  lay 
in  a  window  near  my  bed  a  Bible,  which  I  opened, 
and  first  cast  my  eye  on  the  text,  "  We  lie  down  in 
our  shame,  and  our  confusion  covereth  us."  This  I 
knew  to  be  my  case,  and  meeting  with  so  unex- 
pected a  reproof  I  was  somewhat  affected  with  it, 
and  went  to  bed  under  remorse  of  conscience, 
which  I  soon  cast  off  again. 

Thus  time  passed  on  ;  my  heart  was  replenished 
with  mirth  and  wantonness,  while  pleasing  scenes 
of  vanity  were  presented  to  my  imagination,  till  I 
attained  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  near  which  time 
I  felt  the  judgments  of  God  in  my  soul,  like  a  con- 
suming fire,  and  looking  over  my  past  life  the  pros- 
pect was  moving.  I  was  often  sad,  and  longed  to 
be  delivered  from  those  vanities  ;  then  again  my 
heart  was  strongly  inclined  to  them,  and  there  was 
in  me  a  sore  conflict.  At  times  I  turned  to  folly, 
and  then  again  sorrow  and  confusion  took  hold  of 
me.  In  a  while  I  resolved  totally  to  leave  off  some 
of  my  vanities,  but  there  was  a  secret  reserve  in 
my  heart  of  the  more  refined  part  of  them,  and  I 
was  not  low  enough  to  find  true  peace.  Thus  for 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        57 

some  months  I  had  great  troubles  ;  my  will  was 
unsubjected,  which  rendered  my  labors  fruitless. 
At  length,  through  the  merciful  continuance  of 
heavenly  visitations,  I  was  made  to  bow  down  in 
spirit  before  the  Lord.  One  evening  I  had  spent 
some  time  in  reading  a  pious  author,  and  walking 
out  alone  I  humbly  prayed  to  the  Lord  for  his 
help,  that  I  might  be  delivered  from  all  those  vani- 
ties which  so  ensnared  me.  Thus  being  brought 
low,  he  helped  me,  and  as  I  learned  to  bear  the 
cross  I  felt  refreshment  to  come  from  his  presence, 
but  not  keeping  in  that  strength  which  gave  victory 
I  lost  ground  again,  the  sense  of  which  greatly 
affected  me.  I  sought  deserts  and  lonely  places, 
and  there  with  tears  did  confess  my  sins  to  God 
and  humbly  craved  his  help.  And  I  may  say  with 
reverence,  he  was  near  to  me  in  my  troubles,  and 
in  those  times  of  humiliation  opened  my  ear  to  dis- 
cipline. I  was  now  led  to  look  seriously  at  the 
means  by  which  I  was  drawn  from  the  pure  truth, 
and  learned  that  if  I  would  live  such  a  life  as  the 
faithful  servants  of  God  lived,  I  must  not  go  into 
company  as  heretofore  in  my  own  will,  but  all  the 
cravings  of  sense  must  be  governed  by  a  Divine 
principle.  In  times  of  sorrow  and  abasement  these 
instructions  were  sealed  upon  me,  and  I  felt  the 
power  of  Christ  prevail  over  selfish  desires,  so  that 
I  was  preserved  in  a  good  degree  of  steadiness,  and 
being  young,  and  believing  at  that  time  that  a  single 
life  was  best  for  me,  I  was  strengthened  to  keep 
from  such  company  as  had  often  been  a  snare  to  me. 


58        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

I  kept  steadily  to  meetings  ;  spent  first-day  after- 
noons chiefly  in  reading  the  Scriptures  and  other 
good  books,  and  was  early  convinced  in  my  mind 
that  true  religion  consisted  in  an  inward  life,  where- 
in the  heart  doth  love  and  reverence  God  the  Cre- 
ator, and  learns  to  exercise  true  justice  and  good- 
ness, not  only  toward  all  men,  but  also  toward  the 
brute  creatures ;  that,  as  the  mind  was  moved  by 
an  inward  principle  to  love  God  as  an  invisible,  in- 
comprehensible Being,  so,  by  the  same  principle,  it 
was  moved  to  love  him  in  all  his  manifestations  in 
the  visible  world  ;  that,  as  by  his  breath  the  flame 
of  life  was  kindled  in  all  animal  sensible  creatures, 
to  say  we  love  God  as  unseen,  and  at  the  same  time 
exercise  cruelty  toward  the  least  creature  moving 
by  his  life,  or  by  life  derived  from  him,  was  a  con- 
tradiction in  itself.  I  found  no  narrowness  respect- 
ing sects  and  opinions,  but  believed  that  sincere, 
upright-hearted  people,  in  every  society,  who  truly 
love  God,  were  accepted  of  him. 

As  I  lived  under  the  cross,  and  simply  followed 
the  opening  of  truth,  my  mind,  from  day  to  day,  was 
more  enlightened,  my  former  acquaintance  were 
left  to  judge  of  me  as  they  would,  for  I  found  it 
safest  for  me  to  live  in  private,  and  keep  these 
things  sealed  up  in  my  own  breast.  While  I  silently 
ponder  on  that  change  wrought  in  me,  I  find  no 
language  equal  to  convey  to  another  a  clear  idea  of 
it.  I  looked  upon  the  works  of  God  in  this  visible 
creation,  and  an  awfulness  covered  me.  My  heart 
was  tender  and  often  contrite,  and  universal  love  to 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        59 

my  fellow-creatures  increased  in  me.  This  will  be 
understood  by  such  as  have  trodden  in  the  same 
path.  Some  glances  of  real  beauty  may  be  seen 
in  their  faces  who  dwell  in  true  meekness.  There 
is  a  harmony  in  the  sound  of  that  voice  to  which 
Divine  love  gives  utterance,  and  some  appearance 
of  right  order  in  their  temper  and  conduct  whose 
passions  are  regulated  ;  yet  these  do  not  fully  show 
forth  that  inward  life  to  those  who  have  not  felt  it ; 
this  white  stone  and  new  name  is  only  known  rightly 
by  such  as  receive  it. 

Now,  though  I  had  been  thus  strengthened  to 
bear  the  cross,  I  still  found  myself  in  great  danger, 
having  many  weaknesses  attending  me,  and  strong 
temptations  to  wrestle  with ;  in  the  feeling  whereof 
I  frequently  withdrew  into  private  places,  and  often 
with  tears  besought  the  Lord  to  help  me,  and  his 
gracious  ear  was  open  to  my  cry. 

All  this  time  I  lived  with  my  parents,  and  wrought 
on  the  plantation  ;  and  having  had  schooling  pretty 
well  for  a  planter,  I  used  to  improve  myself  in  win- 
ter evenings,  and  other  leisure  times.  Being  now 
in  the  twenty-first  year  of  my  age,  with  my  father's 
consent  I  engaged  with  a  man,  in  much  business  as 
a  shop-keeper  and  baker,  to  tend  shop  and  keep 
books.  At  home  I  had  lived  retired  ;  and  now 
having  a  prospect  of  being  much  in  the  way  of  com- 
pany, I  felt  frequent  and  fervent  cries  in  my  heart 
to  God,  the  Father  of  Mercies,  that  he  would  pre- 
serve me  from  all  taint  and  corruption ;  that,  in  this 
more  public  employment,  I  might  serve  him,  my 


60         The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

gracious  Redeemer,  in  that  humility  and  self-denial 
which  I  had  in  a  small  degree  exercised  in  a  more 
private  life. 

The  man  who  employed  me  furnished  a  shop  in 
Mount  Holly,  about  five  miles  from  my  father's 
house,  and  six  from  his  own,  and  there  I  lived 
alone  and  tended  his  shop.  Shortly  after  my  settle- 
ment here  I  was  visited  by  several  young  people, 
my  former  acquaintance,  who  supposed  that  vanities 
would  be  as  agreeable  to  me  now  as  ever.  At  these 
times  I  cried  to  the  Lord  in  secret  for  wisdom  and 
strength ;  for  I  felt  myself  encompassed  with  diffi- 
culties, and  had  fresh  occasion  to  bewail  the  follies 
of  times  past,  in  contracting  a  familiarity  with  liber- 
tine people;  and  as  I  had  now  left  my  father's 
house  outwardly,  I  found  my  Heavenly  Father  to 
be  merciful  to  me  beyond  what  I  can  express. 

By  day  I  was  much  amongst  people,  and  had 
many  trials  to  go  through ;  but  in  the  evenings  I 
was  mostly  alone,  and  I  may  with  thankfulness 
acknowledge,  that  in  those  times  the  spirit  of  sup- 
plication was  often  poured  upon  me ;  under  which 
I  was  frequently  exercised,  and  felt  my  strength 
renewed. 

After  a  while,  my  former  acquaintance  gave  over 
expecting  me  as  one  of  their  company,  and  I  be- 
gan to  be  known  to  some  whose  conversation  was 
helpful  to  me.  And  now,  as  I  had  experienced  the 
love  of  God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  to  redeem  me 
from  many  pollutions,  and  to  be  a  succor  to  me 
through  a  sea  of  conflicts,  with  which  no  person 


The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan.        61 

was  fully  acquainted,  and  as  my  heart  was  often 
enlarged  in  this  heavenly  principle,  I  felt  a  tender 
compassion  for  the  youth  who  remained  entangled 
in  snares  like  those  which  had  entangled  me.  This 
love  and  tenderness  increased,  and  my  mind  was 
strongly  engaged  for  the  good  of  my  fellow-creatures. 
I  went  to  meetings  in  an  awful  frame  of  mind,  and 
endeavored  to  be  inwardly  acquainted  with  the  lan- 
guage of  the  true  Shepherd.  One  day,  being  under 
a  strong  exercise  of  spirit,  I  stood  up  and  said  some 
words  in  a  meeting ;  but  not  keeping  close  to  the 
Divine  opening,  I  said  more  than  was  required  of 
me.  Being  soon  sensible  of  my  error,  I  was  afflicted 
in  mind  some  weeks,  without  any  light  or  comfort, 
even  to  that  degree  that  I  could  not  take  satisfac- 
tion in  anything.  I  remembered  God,  and  was 
troubled,  and  in  the  depth  of  my  distress  he  had 
pity  upon  me,  and  sent  the  Comforter.  I  then  felt 
forgiveness  for  my  offence  ;  my  mind  became  calm 
and  quiet,  and  I  was  truly  thankful  to  my  gracious 
Redeemer  for  his  mercies.  About  six  weeks  after 
this,  feeling  the  spring  of  Divine  love  opened,  and  a 
concern  to  speak,  I  said  a  few  words  in  a  meeting, 
in  which  I  found  peace.  Being  thus  humbled  and 
disciplined  under  the  cross,  my  understanding  be- 
came more  strengthened  to  distinguish  the  pure 
spirit  which  inwardly  moves  upon  the  heart,  and 
which  taught  me  to  wait  in  silence  sometimes  many 
weeks  together,  until  I  felt  that  rise  which  prepares 
the  creature  to  stand  like  a  trumpet,  through  which 
the  Lord  speaks  to  his  flock. 


62        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

From  an  inward  purifying,  and  steadfast  abiding 
under  it  springs  a  lively  operative  desire  for  the 
good  of  others.  All  the  faithful  are  not  called  to 
the  public  ministry;  but  whoever  are,  are  called 
to  minister  of  that  which  they  have  tasted  and 
handled  spiritually.  The  outward  modes  of  wor- 
ship are  various ;  but  whenever  any  are  true  min- 
isters of  Jesus  Christ,  it  is  from  the  operation  of 
his  Spirit  upon  their  hearts,  first  purifying  them, 
and  thus  giving  them  a  just  sense  of  the  conditions 
of  others.  This  truth  was  early  fixed  in  my  mind, 
and  I  was  taught  to  watch  the  pure  opening,  and  to 
take  heed  lest,  while  I  was  standing  to  speak,  my 
own  will  should  get  uppermost,  and  cause  me  to 
utter  words  from  worldly  wisdom,  and  depart  from 
the  channel  of  the  true  gospel  ministry. 

In  the  management  of  my  outward  affairs,  I  may 
say  with  thankfulness,  I  found  truth  to  be  my  sup- 
port ;  and  I  was  respected  in  my  master's  family, 
who  came  to  live  in  Mount  Holly  within  two  years 
after  my  going  there. 

In  a  few  months  after  I  came  here,  my  master 
bought  several  Scotchmen  servants,  from  on  board  a 
vessel,  and  brought  them  to  Mount  Holly  to  sell, 
one  of  whom  was  taken  sick  and  died.  In  the  lat- 
ter part  of  his  sickness,  being  delirious,  he  used  to 
curse  and  swear  most  sorrowfully;  and  the  next 
night  after  his  burial  I  was  left  to  sleep  alone  in 
the  chamber  where  he  died.  I  perceived  in  me  a 
timorousness ;  I  knew,  however,  I  had  not  injured 
the  man,  but  assisted  in  taking  care  of  him  accord- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        63 

ing  to  my  capacity.  I  was  not  free  to  ask  any  one 
on  that  occasion  to  sleep  with  me.  Nature  was 
feeble  ;  but  every  trial  was  a  fresh  incitement  to 
give  myself  up  wholly  to  the  service  of  God,  for  I 
found  no  helper  like  him  in  times  of  trouble. 

About  the  twenty-third  year  of  my  age,  I  had 
many  fresh  and  heavenly  openings,  in  respect  to  the 
care  and  providence  of  the  Almighty  over  his  crea- 
tures in  general,  and  over  man  as  the  most  noble 
amongst  those  which  are  visible.  And  being  clearly 
convinced  in  my  judgment  that  to  place  my  whole 
trust  in  God  was  best  for  me,  I  felt  renewed  en- 
gagements that  in  all  things  I  might  act  on  an  in- 
ward principle  of  virtue,  and  pursue  worldly  busi- 
ness no  further  than  as  truth  opened  my  way. 

About  the  time  called  Christmas  I  observed 
many  people,  both  in  town  and  from  the  country, 
resorting  to  public-houses,  and  spending  their  time 
in  drinking  and  vain  sports,  tending  to  corrupt  one 
another;  on  which  account  I  was  much  troubled. 
At  one  house  in  particular  there  was  much  disor- 
der j  and  I  believed  it  was  a  duty  incumbent  on  me 
to  speak  to  the  master  of  that  house.  I  considered 
I  was  young,  and  that  several  elderly  friends  in 
town  had  opportunity  to  see  these  things;  but 
though  I  would  gladly  have  been  excused,  yet  I 
could  not  feel  my  mind  clear. 

The  exercise  was  heavy ;  and  as  I  was  reading 
what  the  Almighty  said  to  Ezekiel,  respecting  his 
duty  as  a  watchman,  the  matter  was  set  home  more 
clearly.  With  prayers  and  tears  I  besought  the 


64        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

Lord  for  his  assistance,  and  He,  in  loving-kindness, 
gave  me  a  resigned  heart.  At  a  suitable  opportu- 
nity I  went  to  the  public-house  ;  and  seeing  the  man 
amongst  much  company,  I  called  him  aside,  and  in 
the  fear  and  dread  of  the  Almighty  expressed  to 
him  what  rested  on  my  mind.  He  took  it  kindly, 
and  afterwards  showed  more  regard  to  me  than  be- 
fore. In  a  few  years  afterwards  he  died,  middle- 
aged  ;  and  I  often  thought  that  had  I  neglected 
my  duty  in  that  case  it  would  have  given  me  great 
trouble  ;  and  I  was  humbly  thankful  to  my  gracious 
Father,  who  had  supported  me  herein. 

My  employer,  having  a  negro  woman,*  sold  her, 
and  desired  me  to  write  a  bill  of  sale,  the  man  being 
waiting  who  bought  her.  The  thing  was  sudden  ; 
and  though  I  felt  uneasy  at  the  thoughts  of  writing 
an  instrument  of  slavery  for  one  of  my  fellow-crea- 
tures, yet  I  remembered  that  I  was  hired  by  the 
year,  that  it  was  my  master  who  directed  me  to  do 
it,  and  that  it  was  an  elderly  man,  a  member  of  our 

*  The  number  of  slaves  in  New  Jersey  at  the  commence- 
ment of  Woolman's  labors  for  emancipation  was  undoubt- 
edly large.  As  late  as  1800  there  were  12,442.  Perth 
Amboy  was  a  place  of  deposit  for  the  newly  imported  Afri- 
cans, and  long  barracks  were  erected  for  their  accommoda- 
tion. In  1734,  when  Woolman  was  a  lad  of  fourteen,  an  insur- 
rection took  place,  which  had  for  its  object  the  massacre  of 
the  masters,  and  an  alliance  with  the  Indians  and  French. 
Some  years  later  a  negro  convicted  of  crime  was  burned 
alive  at  Perth  Amboy.  An  immense  number  of  negroes, 
gathered  from  all  the  neighboring  townships,  were  compelled 
to  be  witnesses  of  the  slow  torment  of  the  victim. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        65 

Society,  who  bought  her ;  so  through  weakness  I 
gave  way,  and  wrote  it ;  but  at  the  executing  of  it 
I  was  so  afflicted  in  my  mind,  that  I  said  before  my 
master  and  the  Friend  that  I  believed  slave-keeping 
to  be  a  practice  inconsistent  with  the  Christian  re- 
ligion. This,  in  some  degree,  abated  my  uneasi- 
ness ;  yet  as  often  as  I  reflected  seriously  upon  it 
I  thought  I  should  have  been  clearer  if  I  had 
desired  to  be  excused  from  it,  as  a  thing  against  my 
conscience  ;  for  such  it  was.  Some  time  after  this 
a  young  man  of  our  Society  spoke  to  me  to  write 
a  conveyance  of  a  slave  to  him,  he  having  lately 
taken  a  negro  into  his  house.  I  told  him  I  was  not 
easy  to  write  it ;  for,  though  many  of  our  meeting 
and  in  other  places  kept  slaves,  I  still  believed  the 
practice  was  not  right,  and  desired  to  be  excused 
from  the  writing.  I  spoke  to  him  in  good-will ; 
and  he  told  me  that  keeping  slaves  was  not  alto- 
gether agreeable  to  his  mind  ;  but  that  the  slave 
being  a  gift  made  to  his  wife  he  had  accepted  her. 


66        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 


CHAPTER  II. 

1743-1748. 

His  first  Journey,  on  a  Religious  Visit,  in  East  Jersey.— 
Thoughts  on  Merchandising,  and  Learning  a  Trade. — 
Second  Journey  into  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia, 
and  North  Carolina.  —  Third  Journey  through  part  of 
West  and  East  Jersey.  —  Fourth  Journey  through  New 
York  and  Long  Island,  to  New  England.  —  And  his  fifth 
Journey  to  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  and  the  Lower 
Counties  on  Delaware. 

MY  esteemed  friend  Abraham  Farrington  be- 
ing about  to  make  a  visit  to  Friends  on 
the  eastern  side  of  this  province,  and  having  no 
companion,  he  proposed  to  me  to  go  with  him  ;  and 
after  a  conference  with  some  elderly  Friends  I 
agreed  to  go.  We  set  out  on  the  5th  of  ninth  month, 
1 743  ;  had  an  evening  meeting  at  a  tavern  in  Bruns- 
wick, a  town  in  which  none  of  our  Society  dwelt ; 
the  room  was  full,  and  the  people  quiet.  Thence 
to  Amboy,  and  had  an  evening  meeting  in  the 
court-house,  to  which  came  many  people,  amongst 
whom  were  several  members  of  Assembly,  they  being 
in  town  on  the  public  affairs  of  the  province.  In 
both  these  meetings  my  ancient  companion  was 
engaged  to  preach  largely  in  the  love  of  the  gospel. 
Thence  we  went  to  Woodbridge,  Rah  way,  and  Plain- 
field,  and  had  six  or  seven  meetings  in  places  where 
Friends'  meetings  are  not  usually  held,  chiefly  at- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       67 

tended  by  Presbyterians,  and  my  beloved  com- 
panion was  frequently  strengthened  to  publish  the 
word  of  life  amongst  them.  As  for  me,  I  was  often 
silent  through  the  meetings,  and  when  I  spake  it 
was  with  much  care,  that  I  might  speak  only  what 
truth  opened.  My  mind  was  often  tender,  and  I 
learned  some  profitable  lessons.  We  were  out  about 
two  weeks. 

Near  this  time,  being  on  some  outward  business 
in  which  several  families  were  concerned,  and  which 
was  attended  with  difficulties,  some  things  relating 
thereto  not  being  clearly  stated,  nor  rightly  under- 
stood by  all,  there  arose  some  heat  in  the  minds  of 
the  parties,  and  one  valuable  friend  got  off  his 
watch.  I  had  a  great  regard  for  him,  and  felt  a 
strong  inclination,  after  matters  were  settled,  to 
speak  to  him  concerning  his  conduct  in  that  case  ; 
but  being  a  youth,  and  he  far  advanced  in  age 
and  experience,  my  way  appeared  difficult ;  after 
some  days'  deliberation,  and  inward  seeking  to  the 
Lord  for  assistance,  I  was  made  subject,  so  that  I 
expressed  what  lay  upon  me  in  a  way  which  be- 
came my  youth  and  his  years  ;  and  though  it  was  a 
hard  task  to  me  it  was  well  taken,  and  I  believe 
was  useful  to  us  both. 

Having  now  been  several  years  with  my  em- 
ployer, and  he  doing  less  in  merchandise  than 
heretofore,  I  was  thoughtful  about  some  other  way 
of  business,  perceiving  merchandise  to  be  attended 
with  much  cumber  in  the  way  of  trading  in  these 
parts. 


68        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

My  mind,  through  the  power  of  truth,  was  in  a 
good  degree  weaned  from  the  desire  of  outward 
greatness,  and  I  was  learning  to  be  content  with 
real  conveniences,  that  were  not  costly,  so  that  a 
way  of  life  free  from  much  entanglement  appeared 
best  for  me,  though  the  income  might  be  small.  I 
had  several  offers  of  business  that  appeared  profit- 
able, but  I  did  not  see  my  .way  clear  to  accept  of 
them,  believing  they  would  be  attended  with  more 
outward  care  and  cumber  than  was  required  of  me 
to  engage  in.  I  saw  that  an  humble  man,  with  the 
blessing  of  the  Lord,  might  live  on  a  little,  and 
that  where  the  heart  was  set  on  greatness,  success 
in  business  did  not  satisfy  the  craving ;  but  that 
commonly  with  an  increase  of  wealth  the  desire  of 
wealth  increased.  There  was  a  care  on  my  mind 
so  to  pass  my  time  that  nothing  might  hinder  me 
from  the  most  steady  attention  to  the  voice  of  the 
true  Shepherd. 

My  employer,  though  now  a  retailer  of  goods, 
was  by  trade  a  tailor,  and  kept  a  servant-man  at 
that  business  ;  and  I  began  to  think  about  learn- 
ing the  trade,  expecting  that  if  I  should  settle  I 
might  by  this  trade  and  a  little  retailing  of  goods 
get  a  living  in  a  plain  way,  without  the  load  of 
great  business.  I  mentioned  it  to  my  employer, 
and  we  soon  agreed  on  terms,  and  when  I  had 
leisure  from  the  affairs  of  merchandise  I  worked 
with  his  man.  I  believed  the  hand  of  Providence 
pointed  out  this  business  for  me,  and  I  was  taught 
to  be  content  with  it,  though  I  felt  at  times  a  dis- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       69 

position  that  would  have  sought  for  something 
greater  ;  but  through  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ 
I  had  seen  the  happiness  of  humility,  and  there  was 
an  earnest  desire  in  me  to  enter  deeply  into  it ;  at 
times  this  desire  arose  to  a  degree  of  fervent  sup- 
plication, wherein  my  soul  was  so  environed  with 
heavenly  light  and  consolation  that  things  were 
made  easy  to  me  which  had  been  otherwise. 

After  some  time  my  employer's  wife  died;  she 
was  a  virtuous  woman,  and  generally  beloved  of 
her  neighbors.  Soon  after  this  he  left  shop-keeping, 
and  we  parted.  I  then  wrought  at  my  trade  as  a 
tailor  ;  carefully  attended  meetings  for  worship  and 
discipline  ;  and  found  an  enlargement  of  gospel 
love  in  my  mind,  and  therein  a  concern  to  visit 
Friends  in  some  of  the  back  settlements  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Virginia.  Being  thoughtful  about  a  com- 
panion, I  expressed  it  to  my  beloved  friend,  Isaac 
Andrews,  who  told  me  that  he  had  drawings  to  the 
same  places,  and  also  to  go  through  Maryland,  Vir- 
ginia, and  Carolina.  After  a  considerable  time,  and 
several  conferences  with  him,  I  felt  easy  to  accom- 
pany him  throughout,  if  way  opened  for  it.  I 
opened  the  case  in  our  Monthly  Meeting,  and, 
Friends  expressing  their  unity  therewith,  we  ob- 
tained certificates  to  travel  as  companions,  —  he 
from  Haddonfield,  and  I  from  Burlington. 

We  left  our  province  on  the  1 2th  of  third  month, 
1746,  and  had  several  meetings  in  the  upper  part 
of  Chester  County,  and  near  Lancaster ;  in  some  of 
which  the  love  of  Christ  prevailed,  uniting  us  to- 


70        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

gether  in  his  service.  We  then  crossed  the  river 
Susquehanna,  and  had  several  meetings  in  a  new 
settlement,  called  the  Red  Lands.  It  is  the  poorer 
sort  of  people  that  commonly  begin  to  improve 
remote  deserts ;  with  a  small  stock  they  have 
houses  to  build,  lands  to  clear  and  fence,  corn  to 
raise,  clothes  to  provide,  and  children  to  educate, 
so  that  Friends  who  visit  such  may  well  sympathize 
with  them  in  their  hardships  in  the  wilderness  ;  and 
though  the  best  entertainment  that  they  can  give 
may  seem  coarse  to  some  who  are  used  to  cities  or 
old  settled  places,  it  becomes  the  disciples  of  Christ 
to  be  therewith  content.  Our  hearts  were  some- 
times enlarged  in  the  love  of  our  Heavenly  Father 
amongst  these  people,  and  the  sweet  influence  of 
his  Spirit  supported  us  through  some  difficulties  : 
to  him  be  the  praise. 

We  passed  on  to  Manoquacy,  Fairfax,  Hopewell, 
and  Shanando,  and  had  meetings,  some  of  which 
were  comfortable  and  edifying.  From  Shanando, 
we  set  off  in  the  afternoon  for  the  old  settlements 
of  Friends  in  Virginia ;  the  first  night  we,  with  our 
guide,  lodged  in  the  woods,  our  horses  feeding  near 
us  ;  but  he  being  poorly  provided  with  a  horse,  and 
we  young,  and  having  good  horses,  were  free  the 
next  day  to  part  with  him.  In  two  days  after  we 
reached  our  friend  John  Cheagle's,  in  Virginia. 
We  took  the  meetings  in  our  way  through  Virginia ; 
were  in  some  degree  baptized  into  a  feeling  sense 
of  the  conditions  of  the  people,  and  our  exercise  in 
general  was  more  painful  in  these  old  settlements 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        71 

than  it  had  been  amongst  the  back  inhabitants; 
yet  through  the  goodness  of  our  Heavenly  Father 
the  well  of  living  waters  was  at  times  opened  to  our 
encouragement,  and  the  refreshment  of  the  sincere- 
hearted.  We  went  on  to  Perquimans,  in  North 
Carolina;  had  several  large  meetings,  and  found 
some  openness  in  those  parts,  and  a  hopeful  appear- 
ance amongst  the  young  people.  Afterwards  -we 
turned  again  to  Virginia,  and  attended  most  of  the 
meetings  which  we  had  not  been  at  before,  laboring 
amongst  Friends  in  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  as 
ability  was  given;  thence  went  to  the  mountains, 
up  James  River  to  a  new  settlement,  and  had  sev- 
eral meetings  amongst  the  people,  some  of  whom 
had  lately  joined  in  membership  with  our  Soci- 
ety. In  our  journeying  to  and  fro,  we  found  some 
honest-hearted  Friends,  who  appeared  to  be  con- 
cerned for  the  cause  of  truth  among  a  backsliding 
people. 

From  Virginia,  we  crossed  over  the  river  Potomac, 
at  Hoe's  Ferry,  and  made  a  general  visit  to  the  meet- 
ings of  Friends  on  the  western  shore  of  Maryland, 
and  were  at  their  Quarterly  Meeting.  We  had  some 
hard  labor  amongst  them,  endeavoring  to  discharge 
our  duty  honestly  as  way  opened,  in  the  love  of 
truth.  Thence,  taking  sundry  meetings  in  our  way, 
we  passed  towards  home,  which,  through  the  favor 
of  Divine  Providence,  we  reached  the  i6th  of 
sixth  month,  1746  ;  and  I  may  say,  that  through 
the  assistance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  mortifies 
selfish  desires,  my  companion  and  I  travelled  in 


72        The  Journal  of  John  Wool-man. 

harmony,  and  parted  in  the  nearness  of  true  broth- 
erly love. 

Two  things  were  remarkable  to  me  in  this  jour- 
ney :  first,  in  regard  to  my  entertainment.  When  I 
ate,  drank,  and  lodged  free-cost  with  people  who 
lived  in  ease  on  the  hard  labor  of  their  slaves  I  felt 
uneasy ;  and  as  my  mind  was  inward  to  the  Lord, 
I  found  this  uneasiness  return  upon  me,  at  times, 
through  the  whole  visit.  Where  the  masters  bore  a 
good  share  of  the  burden,  and  lived  frugally,  so  that 
their  servants  were  well  provided  for,  and  their  labor 
moderate,  I  felt  more  easy  ;  but  where  they  lived  in 
a  costly  way,  and  laid  heavy  burdens  on  their  slaves, 
my  exercise  was  often  great,  and  I  frequently  had 
conversation  with  them  in  private  concerning  it. 
Secondly,  this  trade  of  importing  slaves  from  their 
native  country  being  much  encouraged  amongst 
them,  and  the  white  people  and  their  children  so 
generally  living  without  much  labor,  was  frequently 
the  subject  of  my  serious  thoughts.  I  saw  in  these 
southern  provinces  so  many  vices  and  corruptions, 
increased  by  this  trade  and  this  way  of  life,  that  it 
appeared  to  me  as  a  dark  gloominess  hanging  over 
the  land  ;  and  though  now  many  willingly  run  into 
it,  yet  in  future  the  consequence  will  be  grievous 
to  posterity.  I  express  it  as  it  hath  appeared  to  me, 
not  once,  nor  twice,  but  as  a  matter  fixed  on  my 
mind. 

Soon  after  my  return  home  I  felt  an  increasing 
concern  for  Friends  on  our  sea-coast ;  and  on  the 
8th  of  eighth  month,  1746,  I  left  home  with  the 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        73 

unity  of  Friends,  and  in  company  with  my  beloved 
friend  and  neighbor  Peter  Andrews,  brother  to  my 
companion  before  mentioned,  and  visited  them  in 
their  meetings  generally  about  Salem,  Cape  May, 
Great  and  Little  Egg  Harbor ;  we  had  meetings 
also  at  Barnagat,  Manahockin,  and  Mane  Squan, 
and  so  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Shrewsbury. 
Through  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  way  was  opened, 
and  the  strength  of  Divine  love  was  sometimes  felt 
in  our  assemblies,  to  the  comfort  and  help  of  those 
who  were  rightly  concerned  before  him.  We  were 
out  twenty-two  days,  and  rode,  by  computation, 
three  hundred  and  forty  miles.  At  Shrewsbury 
Yearly  Meeting  we  met  with  our  dear  friends  Mi- 
chael Lightfoot  and  Abraham  Farrington,  who  had 
good  service  there. 

The  winter  following  died  my  eldest  sister,  Eliza- 
beth Woolman,  of  the  small-pox,  aged  thirty-one 
years. 

Of  late  I  found  drawings  in  my  mind  to  visit 
Friends  in  New  England,  and  having  an  opportunity 
of  joining  in  company  with  my  beloved  friend  Peter 
Andrews,  we  obtained  certificates  from  our  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  set  forward  on  the  i6th  of  third  monthx 
1747.  We  reached  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Long 
Island,  at  which  were  our  friends,  Samuel  Not- 
tingham from  England,  John  Griffith,  Jane  Hos- 
kins,  and  Elizabeth  Hudson  from  Pennsylvania, 
and  Jacob  Andrews  from  Chesterfield,  several  of 
whom  were  favored  In  their  public  exercise ;  and, 
through  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  we  had  some 
4 


74        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

edifying  meetings.  After  this  my  companion  and  I 
visited  Friends  on  Long  Island  ;  and  through  the 
mercies  of  God  we  were  helped  in  the  work. 

Besides  going  to  the  settled  meetings  of  Friends, 
we  were  at  a  general  meeting  at  Setawket,  chiefly 
made  up  of  other  societies  ;  we  had  also  a  meeting 
at  Oyster  Bay  in  a  dwelling-house,  at  which  were 
many  people.  At  the  former  there  was  not  much  said 
by  way  of  testimony,  but  it  was,  I  believe,  a  good 
meeting ;  at  the  latter,  through  the  springing  up  of 
living  waters,  it  was  a  day  to  be  thankfully  remem- 
bered. Having  visited  the  island,  we  went  over  to 
the  main,  taking  meetings  in  our  way,  to  Oblong, 
Nine-partners,  and  New  Milford.  In  these  back 
settlements  we  met  with  several  people  who,  through 
the  immediate  workings  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  on 
their  minds,  were  drawn  from  the  vanities  of  the 
world  to  an  inward  acquaintance  with  him.  They 
were  educated  in  the  way  of  the  Presbyterians.  A 
considerable  number  of  the  youth,  members  of  that 
society,  used  often  to  spend  their  time  together  in 
merriment,  but  some  of  the  principal  young  men 
of  the  company,  being  visited  by  the  powerful  work- 
ings of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  thereby  led  humbly 
to  take  up  his  cross,  could  no  longer  join  in  those 
vanities.  As  these  stood  steadfast  to  that  inward 
convincement,  they  were  made  a  blessing  to  some 
of  their  former  companions  ;  so  that  through  the 
power  of  truth  several  were  brought  into  a  close 
exercise  concerning  the  eternal  well-being  of  their 
souls.  These  young  people  continued  for  a  time  to 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        75 

frequent  their  public  worship  ;  and,  besides  that, 
had  meetings  of  their  own,  which  meetings  were 
awhile  allowed  by  their  preacher,  who  sometimes  met 
with  them ;  but  in  time  their  judgment  in  matters 
of  religion  disagreeing  with  some  of  the  articles  of 
the  Presbyterians  their  meetings  were  disapproved 
by  that  society ;  and  such  of  them  as  stood  firm  to 
their  duty,  as  it  was  inwardly  manifested,  had  many 
difficulties  to  go  through.  In  a  while  their  meet- 
ings were  dropped  ;  some  of  them  returned  to  the 
Presbyterians,  and  others  joined  to  our  religious 
society. 

I  had  conversation  with  some  of  the  latter  to  my 
help  and  edification,  and  believe  several  of  them 
are  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  that  worship 
which  is  performed  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Amos 
Powel,  a  friend  from  Long  Island,  accompanied 
me  through  Connecticut,  which  is  chiefly  inhabited 
by  Presbyterians,  who  were  generally  civil  to  us. 
After  three  days'  riding,  we  came  amongst  Friends 
in  the  colony  of  Rhode  Island,  and  visited  them  in 
and  about  Newport,  Dartmouth,  and  generally  in 
those  parts ;  we  then  went  to  Boston,  and  pro- 
ceeded eastward  as  far  as  Dover.  Not  far  from 
thence  we  met  our  friend  Thomas  Gawthrop,  from 
England,  who  was  then  on  a  visit  to  these  prov- 
inces. From  Newport  we  sailed  to  Nantucket ; 
were  there  nearly  a  week ;  and  from  thence  came 
over  to  Dartmouth.  Having  finished  our  visit  in 
these  parts,  we  crossed  the  Sound  from  New  Lon- 
don to  Long  Island,  and  taking  some  meetings  on 


76        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

the  island  proceeded  towards  home,  which  we 
reached  the  i3th  of  seventh  month,  1747,  having 
rode  about  fifteen  hundred  miles,  and  sailed  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty. 

In  this  journey,  .1  may  say  in  general,  we  were 
sometimes  in  much  weakness,  and  labored  under 
discouragements,  and  at  other  times,  through  the 
renewed  manifestations  of  Divine  love,  we  had  sea- 
sons of  refreshment  wherein  the  power  of  truth  pre- 
vailed. We  were  taught  by  renewed  experience  to 
labor  for  an  inward  stillness  ;  at  no  time  to  seek 
for  words,  but  to  live  in  the  spirit  of  truth,  and  utter 
that  to  the  people  which  truth  opened  in  us.  My 
beloved  companion  and  I  belonged  both  to  one 
meeting,  came  forth  in  the  ministry  near  the  same 
time,  and  were  inwardly  united  in  the  work.  He 
was  about  thirteen  years  older  than  I,  bore  the 
heaviest  burden,  and  was  an  instrument  of  the 
greatest  use. 

Finding  a  concern  to  visit  Friends  in  the  lower 
counties  of  Delaware,  and  on  the  eastern  shore  of 
Maryland,  and  having  an  opportunity  to  join  with 
my  well-beloved  ancient  friend,  John  Sykes,  we 
obtained  certificates,  and  set  off  the  7th  of  eighth 
month,  1748,  were  at  the  meetings  of  Friends 
in  the  lower  counties,  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting 
at  Little  Creek,  and  made  a  visit  to  most  of  the 
meetings  on  the  eastern  shore,  and  so  home  by  the 
way  of  Nottingham.  We  were  abroad  about  six 
weeks,  and  rode,  by  computation,  about  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        77 

Our  exercise  at  times  was  heavy,  but  through  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord  we  were  often  refreshed,  and 
I  may  say  by  experience  "  he  is  a  stronghold  in 
the  day  of  trouble."  Though  our  Society  in  these 
parts  appeared  to  me  to  be  in  a  declining  con- 
dition, yet  I  believe  the  Lord  hath  a  people 
amongst  them  who  labor  to  serve  him  uprightly, 
but  they  have  many  difficulties  to  encounter. 


78        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 


CHAPTER    III. 

I749-I756. 

His  Marriage.  —  The  Death  of  his  Father.  —  His  Journeys 
into  the  upper  part  of  New  Jersey,  and  afterwards  into 
Pennsylvania.  —  Considerations  on  keeping  Slaves,  and 
Visits  to  the  Families  of  Friends  at  several  times  and 
places.  —  An  Epistle  from  the  General  Meeting.  —  His 
journey  to  Long  Island.  —  Considerations  on  Trading  and 
on  the  Use  of  Spirituous  Liquors  and  Costly  Apparel.  — 
Letter  to  a  Friend. 

ABOUT  this  time,  believing  it  good  for  me  to 
settle,  and  thinking  seriously  about  a  com- 
panion, my  heart  was  turned  to  the  Lord  with  de- 
sires that  he  would  give  me  wisdom  to  proceed 
therein  agreeably  to  his  will,  and  he  was  pleased 
to  give  me  a  well-inclined  damsel,  Sarah  Ellis,  to 
whom  I  was  married  the  i8th  of  eighth  month, 
1749. 

In  the  fall  of  the  year  1750  died  my  father, 
Samuel  Woolman,  of  a  fever,  aged  about  sixty  years. 
In  his  lifetime  he  manifested  much  care  for  us  his 
children,  that  in  our  youth  we  might  learn  to  fear 
the  Lord ;  and  often  endeavored  to  imprint  in  our 
minds  the  true  principles  of  virtue,  and  particularly 
to  cherish  in  us  a  spirit  of  tenderness,  not  only  to- 
wards poor  people,  but  also  towards  all  creatures  of 
which  we  had  the  command. 

After  my  return  from  Carolina  in  1746, 1  made 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        79 

some  observations  on  keeping  slaves,  which  some 
time  before  his  decease  I  showed  to  him ;  he  pe- 
rused the  manuscript,  proposed  a  few  alterations,  and 
appeared  well  satisfied  that  I  found  a  concern  on 
that  account.  In  his  last  sickness,  as  I  was  watch- 
ing with  him  one  night,  he  being  so  far  spent  that 
there  was  no  expectation  of  his  recovery,  though  he 
had  the  perfect  use  of  his  understanding,  he  asked 
me  concerning  the  manuscript,  and  whether  I  ex- 
pected soon  to  proceed  to  take  the  advice  of  friends 
in  publishing  it  ?  After  some  further  conversation 
thereon,  he  said,  "  I  have  all  along  been  deeply 
affected  with  the  oppression  of  the  poor  negroes ; 
and  now,  at  last,  my  concern  for  them  is  as  great 
as  ever." 

By  his  direction  I  had  written  his  will  in  a  time 
of  health,  and  that  night  he  desired  me  to  read  it  to 
him,  which  I  did  ;  and  he  said  it  was  agreeable  to 
his  mind.  He  then  made  mention  of  his  end, 
which  he  believed  was  neai  ;  and  signified  that 
though  he  was  sensible  of  many  imperfections  in  the 
course  of  his  life,  yet  his  experience  of  the  power 
of  truth,  and  of  the  love  and  goodness  of  God  from 
time  to  time,  even  till  now,  was  such  that  he  had 
no  doubt  that  on  leaving  this  life  he  should  enter 
into  one  more  happy. 

The  next  day  his  sister  Elizabeth  came  to  see 
him,  and  told  him  of  the  decease  of  their  sister 
Anne,  who  died  a  few  days  before ;  he  then  said, 
"  I  reckon  Sister  Anne  was  free  to  leave  this  world  ? " 
Elizabeth  said  she  was.  He  then  said,  "  I  also  am 


8o        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

free  to  leave  it "  ;  and  being  in  great  weakness  of 
body  said,  "  I  hope  I  shall  shortly  go  to  rest."  He 
continued  in  a  weighty  frame  of  mind,  and  was  sen- 
sible till  near  the  last. 

Second  of  ninth  month,  1751.  —  Feeling  drawings 
in  my  mind  to  visit  Friends  at  the  Great  Meadows, 
in  the  upper  part  of  West  Jersey,  with  the  unity  of 
our  Monthly  Meeting,  I  went  there,  and  had  some 
searching  laborious  exercise  amongst  Friends  in 
those  parts,  and  found  inward  peace  therein. 

Ninth  month,  1753.  —  In  company  with  my  well- 
esteemed  friend,  John  Sykes,  and  with  the  unity  of 
Friends,  I  travelled  about  two  weeks,  visiting  Friends 
in  Buck's  County.  We  labored  in  the  love  of  the 
gospel,  according  to  the  measure  received;  and 
through  the  mercies  of  Him  who  is  strength  to  the 
poor  who  trust  in  him,  we  found  satisfaction  in  our 
visit.  In  the  next  winter,  way  opening  to  visit 
Friends'  families  within  the  compass  of  our  Monthly 
Meeting,  partly  by  the  labors  of  two  Friends  from 
Pennsylvania,  I  joined  in  some  part  of  the  work, 
having  had  a  desire  some  time  that  it  might  go  for- 
ward amongst  us. 

About  this  time,  a  person  at  some  distance  lying 
sick,  his  brother  came  to  me  to  write  his  will.  I 
knew  he  had  slaves,  and,  asking  his  brother,  was 
told  he  intended  to  leave  them  as  slaves  to  his  chil- 
dren. As  writing  is  a  profitable  employ,  and  as 
offending  sober  people  was  disagreeable  to  my  in- 
clination, I  was  straitened  in  my  mind  ;  but  as  I 
looked  to  the  Lord,  he  inclined  my  heart  to  his  tes- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolntan.        8t 

timony.  I  told  the  man  that  I  believed  the  practice 
of  continuing  slavery  to  this  people  was  not  right, 
and  that  I  had  a  scruple  in  my  mind  against  doing 
writings  of  that  kind  ;  that  though  many  in  our  So- 
ciety kept  them  as  slaves,  still  I  was  not  easy  to  be 
concerned  in  it,  and  desired  to  be  excused  from 
going  to  write  the  will.  I  spake  to  him  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  and  he  made  no  reply  to  what  I  said, 
but  went  away ;  he  also  had  some  concerns  in  the 
practice,  and  I  thought  he  was  displeased  with  me. 
In  this  case  I  had  fresh  confirmation  that  acting 
contrary  to  present  outward  interest,  from  a  motive 
of  Divine  love  and  in  regard  to  truth  and  right- 
eousness, and  thereby  incurring  the  resentments 
of  people,  opens  the  way  to  a  treasure  better  than 
silver,  and  to  a  friendship  exceeding  the  friend- 
ship of  men. 

The  manuscript  before  mentioned  having  laid 
by  me  several  years,  the  publication  of  it  rested 
weightily  upon  me,  and  this  year  I  offered  it  to  the 
revisal  of  my  friends,  who,  having  examined  and 
made  some  small  alterations  in  it,  directed  a  num- 
ber of  copies  thereof  to  be  published  and  dis- 
persed amongst  members  of  our  Society.* 

In  the  year  1754  I  found  my  mind  drawn  to 
join  in  a  visit  to  Friends'  families*  belonging  to 
Chesterfield'  Monthly  Meeting,  and  having  the 
approbation  of  our  own,  I  went  to  their  Monthly 
Meeting  in  order  to  confer  with  Friends,  and  see 

*  This  pamphlet  bears  the  imprint  of  Benjamin  Franklin, 

1754- 

4#  F 


82        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

if  way  opened  for  it.  I  had  conference  with  some 
of  their  members,  the  proposal  having  been  opened 
before  in  their  meeting,  and  one  Friend  agreed  to 
join  with  me  as  a  companion  for  a  beginning ;  but 
when  meeting  was  ended,  I  felt  great  distress  of 
mind,  and  doubted  what  way  to  take,  or  whether 
to  go  home  and  wait  for  greater  clearness.  I  kept 
my  distress  secret,  and  going  with  a  friend  to  his 
house,  my  desires  were  to  the  great  Shepherd  for 
his  heavenly  instruction.  In  the  morning  I  felt 
easy  to  proceed  on  the  visit,  though  very  low  in  my 
mind.  As  mine  eye  was  turned  to  the  Lord,  wait- 
ing in  families  in  deep  reverence  before  him,  he 
was  pleased  graciously  to  afford  help,  so  that  we 
had  many  comfortable  opportunities,  and  it  ap- 
peared as  a  fresh  visitation  to  some  young  people. 
I  spent  several  weeks  this  winter  in  the  service, 
part  of  which  time  was  employed  near  home.  And 
again  in  the  following  winter  I  was  several  weeks 
in  the  same  service ;  some  part  of  the  time  at 
Shrewsbury,  in  company  with  my  beloved  friend, 
John  Sykes ;  and  I  have  cause  humbly  to  acknowl- 
edge that  through  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  our 
hearts  were  at  times  enlarged  in  his  love,  and 
strength  was  given  to  go  through  the  trials  which, 
in  the  course  of  our  visit,  attended  us. 

From  a  disagreement  between  the  powers  of 
England  and  France,  it  was  now  a  time  of  trouble 
on  this  continent,  and  an  epistle  to  Friends  went 
forth  from  our  general  spring  meeting,  which  I 
thought  good  to  give  a  place  in  this  Journal. 


The  Joiirnal  of  John  Woolman.        83 

An  Epistle  from  our  general  Spring  Meeting  of  ministers  and 
elders  for  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  held  at  Philadel' 
phia,  from  the  ztyh  of  the  third  month  to  the  1st  of  the 
fourth  month  inclusive,  I755« 

To  FRIENDS  ON  THE  CONTINENT  OF  AMERICA  :  — 

DEAR  FRIENDS,  —  In  an  humble  sense  of  Divine 
goodness,  and  the  gracious  continuation  of  God's 
love  to  his  people,  we  cenderly  salute  you,  and  are 
at  this  time  therein  engaged  in  mind,  that  all  of  us 
who  profess  the  truth,  as  held  forth  and  published 
by  our  worthy  predecessors  in  this  latter  age  of  the 
world,  may  keep  near  to  that  Life  which  is  the  light 
of  men,  and  be  strengthened  to  hold  fast  the  pro- 
fession of  our  faith  without  wavering,  that  our  trust 
may  not  be  in  man,  but  in  the  Lord  alone,  who 
ruleth  in  the  army  of  heaven  and  in  the  kingdoms 
of  men,  before  whom  the  earth  is  "  as  the  dust  of 
the  balance,  and  her  inhabitants  as  grasshoppers." 
(Isa.  xl.  22.) 

Being  convinced  that  the  gracious  design  of  the 
Almighty  in  sending  his  Son  into  the  world  was  to 
repair  the  breach  made  by  disobedience,  to  finish 
sin  and  transgression,  that  his  kingdom  might  come, 
and  his  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven, 
we  have  found  it  to  be  our  duty  to  cease  from  those 
national  contests  which  are  productive  of  misery 
and  bloodshed,  and  submit  our  cause  to  him,  the 
Most  High,  whose  tender  love  to  his  children  ex- 
ceeds the  most  warm  affections  of  natural  parents, 
and  who  hath  promised  to  his  seed  throughout  the 
earth,  as  to  one  individual,  "I  will  never  leave 


84        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

thee,  nor  forsake  thee."  (Heb.  xiii.  5.)  And  we, 
through  the  gracious  dealings  of  the  Lord  our  God, 
have  had  experience  of  that  work  which  is  carried 
on,  not  by  earthly  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my 
Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."  (Zech.  iv.  6.)  By 
which  operation  that  spiritual  kingdom  is  set  up, 
which  is  to  subdue  and  break  in  pieces  all  king- 
doms that  oppose  it,  and  shall  stand  forever.  In 
a  deep  sense  thereof,  and  of  the  safety,  stability, 
and  peace  that  are  in  it,  we  are  desirous  that  all 
who  profess  the  truth  may  be  inwardly  acquainted 
with  it,  and  thereby  be  qualified  to  conduct  our- 
selves in  all  parts  of  our  life  as  becomes  our 
peaceable  profession;  and  we  trust  as  there  is  a 
faithful  continuance  to  depend  wholly  upon  the 
almighty  arm,  from  one  generation  to  another,  the 
peaceable  kingdom  will  gradually  be  extended 
"  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from  the  river  to  the  ends 
of  the  earth"  (Zech.  ix.  10),  to  the  completion  of 
those  prophecies  already  begun,  that  "  nation  shall 
not  lift  up  a  sword  against  nation,  nor  learn  war 
any  more."  (Isa.  ii.  4.  Micah  iv.  3.) 

And,  dearly  beloved  friends,  seeing  that  we  have 
these  promises,  and  believe  that  God  is  beginning 
to  fulfil  them,  let  us  constantly  endeavor  to  have 
our  minds  sufficiently  disentangled  from  the  sur- 
feiting cares  of  this  life,  and  redeemed  from  the 
love  of  the  world,  that  no  earthly  possessions  nor 
enjoyments  may  bias  our  judgments,  or  turn  us 
from  that  resignation  and  entire  trust  in  God  to 
which  his  blessing  is  most  surely  annexed;  then 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        85 

may  we  say,  "Our  Redeemer  is  mighty,  he  will 
plead  our  cause  for  us."  (Jer.  1.  34.)  And  if,  for 
the  further  promoting  of  his  most  gracious  pur- 
poses in  the  earth,  he  should  give  us  to  taste  of 
that  bitter  cup  of  which  his  faithful  ones  have 
often  partaken,  O  that  we  might  be  rightly  pre- 
pared to  receive  it ! 

And  now,  dear  friends,  with  respect  to  the  com- 
motions and  stirrings  of  the  powers  of  the  earth  at 
this  time  near  us,  we  are  desirous  that  none  of  us 
may  be  moved  thereat,  but  repose  ourselves  in  the 
munition  of  that  rock  which  all  these  shakings 
shall  not  move,  even  in  the  knowledge  and  feeling 
of  the  eternal  power  of  God,  keeping  us  subjectly 
given  up  to  his  heavenly  will,  and  feeling  it  daily 
to  mortify  that  which  remains  in  any  of  us  which  is 
of  this  world ;  for  the  worldly  part  in  any  is  the 
changeable  part,  and  that  is  up  and  down,  full  and 
empty,  joyful  and  sorrowful,  as  things  go  well  or  ill 
in  this  world.  For  as  the  truth  is  but  one,  and 
many  are  made  partakers  of  its  spirit,  so  the  world 
is  but  one,  and  many  are  made  partakers  of  the 
spirit  of  it ;  and  so  many  as  do  partake  of  it,  so 
many  will  be  straitened  and  perplexed  with  it. 
But  they  who  are  single  to  the  truth,  waiting  daily 
to  feel  the  life  and  virtue  of  it  in  their  hearts, 
shall  rejoice  in  the  midst  of  adversity,  and  have 
to  experience  with  the  prophet,  that,  "although 
the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall  fruit  be 
in  the  vines ;  the  labor  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and 
the  fields  shall  yield  no  meat ;  the  flock  shall  be 


86        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

cut  off  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall  be  no  herd 
in  the  stalls ;  yet  will  they  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and 
joy  in  the  God  of  their  salvation."  (Hab.  iii.  17, 
18.) 

If,  contrary  to  this,  we  profess  the  truth,  and,  not 
living  under  the  power  and  influence  of  it,  are  pro- 
ducing fruits  disagreeable  to  the  purity  thereof,  and 
trust  to  the  strength  of  man  to  support  ourselves, 
our  confidence  therein  will  be  vain.  For  he  who 
removed  the  hedge  from  his  vineyard,  and  gave  it 
to  be  trodden  under  foot  by  reason  of  the  wild 
grapes  it  produced  (Isa.  v.  6),  remains  unchange- 
able ;  and  if,  for  the  chastisement  of  wickedness 
and  the  further  promoting  of  his  own  glory,  he  doth 
arise,  even  to  shake  terribly  the  earth,  who  then 
may  oppose  him,  and  prosper  ? 

We  remain,  in  the  love  of  the  gospel,  your  friends 
and  brethren. 

(Signed  by  fourteen  Friends.) 

Scrupling  to  do  writings  relative  to  keeping 
slaves  has  been  a  means  of  sundry  small  trials 
to  me,  in  which  I  have  so  evidently  felt  my  own 
will  set  aside  that  I  think  it  good  to  mention  a 
few  of  them.  Tradesmen  and  retailers  of  goods, 
who  depend  on  their  business  for  a  living,  are 
naturally  inclined  to  keep  the  good-will  of  their 
customers;  nor  is  it  a  pleasant  thing  for  young 
men  to  be  under  any  necessity  to  question  the 
judgment  or  honesty  of  elderly  men,  and  more 
especially  of  such  as  have  a  fair  reputation.  Deep- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        87 

rooted  customs,  though  wrong,  are  not  easily 
altered ;  but  it  is  the  duty  of  all  to  be  firm  in 
that  which  they  certainly  know  is  right  for  them. 
A  charitable,  benevolent  man,  well  acquainted  with 
a  negro,  may,  I  believe,  under  some  circumstances, 
keep  him  in  his  family  as  a  servant,  on  no  other 
motives  than  the  negro's  good  ;  but  man,  as  man, 
knows  not  what  shall  be  after  him,  nor  hath 
he  any  assurance  that  his  children  will  attain  to 
that  perfection  in  wisdom  and  goodness  necessary 
rightly  to  exercise  such  power ;  hence  it  is  clear 
to  me,  that  I  ought  not  to  be  the  scribe  where  wills 
are  drawn  in  which  some  children  are  made  ales 
masters  over  others  during  life. 

About  this  time  an  ancient  man  of  good  esteem 
in  the  neighborhood  came  to  my  house  to  get  his 
will  written.  He  had  young  negroes,  and  I  asked 
him  privately  how  he  purposed  to  dispose  of  them. 
He  told  me  ;  I  then  said,  "  I  cannot  write  thy  will 
without  breaking  my  own  peace,"  and  respectfully 
gave  him  my  reasons  for  it.  He  signified  that  he 
had  a  choice  that  I  should  have  written  it,  but  as  I 
could  not,  consistently  with  my  conscience,  he  did 
not  desire  it,  and  so  he  got  it  written  by  some  other 
person.  A  few  years  after,  there  being  great  altera- 
tions in  his  family,  he  came  again  to  get  me  to 
write  his  will.  His  negroes  were  yet  young,  and 
his  son,  to  whom  he  intended  to  give  them,  was, 
since  he  first  spoke  to  me,  from  a  libertine  become 
a  sober  young  man,  and  he  supposed  that  I  would 
have  been  free  on  that  account  to  write  it.  We  had 


88        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

much  friendly  talk  on  the  subject,  and  then  deferred 
it.  A  few  days  after  he  came  again  and  directed 
their  freedom,  and  I  then  wrote  his  will. 

Near  the  time  that  the  last-mentioned  Friend  first 
spoke  to  me,  a  neighbor  received  a  bad  bruise  in 
his  body  and  sent  for  me  to  bleed  him,  which  hav- 
ing done,  he  desired  me  to  write  his  will.  I  took 
notes,  and  amongst  other  things  he  told  me  to 
which  of  his  children  he  gave  his  young  negro.  I 
considered  the  pain  and  distress  he  was  in,  and 
knew  not  how  it  would  end,  so  I  wrote  his  will, 
save  only  that  part  concerning  his  slave,  and  carry- 
ing it  to  his  bedside  read  it  to  him.  I  then  told 
him  in  a  friendly  way  that  I  could  not  write  any 
instruments  by  which  my  fellow-creatures  were 
made  slaves,  without  bringing  trouble  on  my  own 
mind.  I  let  him  know  that  I  charged  nothing  for 
what  I  had  done,  and  desired  to  be  excused  from 
doing  the  other  part  in  the  way  he  proposed.  We 
then  had  a  serious  conference  on  the  subject ;  at 
length,  he  agreeing  to  set  her  free,  I  finished  his  will. 

Having  found  drawings  in  my  mind  to  visit 
Friends  on  Long  Island,  after  obtaining  a  cer- 
tificate from  our  Monthly  Meeting,  I  set  off  i2th 
of  fifth  month,  1756.  When  I  reached  the  island, 
I  lodged  the  first  night  at  the  house  of  my  dear 
friend,  Richard  Hallett.  The  next  day  being  the 
first  of  the  week,  I  was  at  the  meeting  in  New 
Town,  in  which  we  experienced  the  renewed  mani- 
festations of  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  comfort 
of  the  honest-hearted.  I  went  that  night  to  Flush- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.         89 

ing,  and  the  next  day  I  and  my  beloved  friend, 
Matthew  Franklin,  crossed  the  ferry  at  White 
Stone  ;  were  at  three  meetings  on  the  main,  and 
then  returned  to  the  island,  where  I  spent  the 
remainder  of  the  week  in  visiting  meetings.  The 
Lord,  I  believe,  hath  a  people  in  those  parts  who 
are  honestly  inclined  to  serve  him  ;  but  many  I 
fear,  are  too  much  clogged  with  the  things  of  this 
life,  and  do  not  come  forward  bearing  the  cross  in 
such  faithfulness  as  he  calls  for. 

My  mind  was  deeply  engaged  in  this  visit,  both 
in  public  and  private,  and  at  several  places  where 
I  was,  on  observing  that  they  had  slaves,  I  found 
myself  under  a  necessity,  in  a  friendly  way,  to  labor 
with  them  on  that  subject;  expressing,  as  way 
opened,  the  inconsistency  of  that  practice  with  the 
purity  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  the  ill  effects  of 
it  manifested  amongst  us. 

The  latter  end  of  the  week  their  Yearly  Meet- 
ing began ;  at  which  were  our  friends,  John  Scar- 
borough, Jane  Hoskins,  and  Susannah  Brown,  from 
Pennsylvania.  The  public  meetings  were  large, 
and  measurably  favored  with  Divine  goodness.  The 
exercise  of  my  mind  at  this  meeting  was  chiefly 
on  account  of  those  who  were  considered  as  the 
foremost  rank  in  the  Society  ;  and  in  a  meeting  of 
ministers  and  elders  way  opened  for  me  to  express 
in  some  measure  what  lay  upon  me ;  and  when 
Friends  were  met  for  transacting  the  affairs  of  the 
church,  having  sat  awhile  silent,  I  felt  a  weight  on 
my  mind,  and  stood  up ;  and  through  the  gracious 


90        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

regard  of  our  Heavenly  Father  strength  was  given 
fully  to  clear  myself  of  a  burden  which  for  some 
days  had  been  increasing  upon  me. 

Through  the  humbling  dispensations  of  Divine 
Providence,  men  are  sometimes  fitted  for  his  service. 
The  messages  of  the  prophet  Jeremiah  were  so  -dis- 
agreeable to  the  people,  and  so  adverse  to  the  spirit 
they  lived  in,  that  he  became  the  object  of  their  re- 
proach, and  in  the  weakness  of  nature  he  thought 
of  desisting  from  his  prophetic  office  ;  but  saith  he, 
"  His  word  was  in  my  heart  as  a  burning  fire  shut 
up  in  my  bones  ;  and  I  was  weary  with  forbearing, 
and  could  not  stay."  I  saw  at  this  time  that  if  I 
was  honest  in  declaring  that  which  truth  opened  in 
me,  I  could  not  please  all  men  \  and  I  labored  to  be 
content  in  the  way  of  my  duty,  however  disagreeable 
to  my  own  inclination.  After  this  I  went  home- 
ward, taking  Woodbridge  and  Plainfield  in  my 
way,  in  both  which  meetings  the  pure  influence  of 
Divine  love  was  manifested,  in  an  humbling  sense 
whereof  I  went  home.  I  had  been  out  about  twen- 
ty-four days,  and  rode  about  three  hundred  and 
sixteen  miles. 

While  I  was  out  on  this  journey  my  heart  was 
much  affected  with  a  sense  of  the  state  of  the 
churches  in  our  southern  provinces  ;  and  believing 
the  Lord  was  calling  me  to  some  further  labor 
amongst  them,  I  was  bowed  in  reverence  before 
him,  with  fervent  desires  that  I  might  find  strength 
to  resign  myself  to  his  heavenly  will. 

Until  this  year,  1756, 1  continued  to  retail  goods, 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        91 

besides  following  my  trade  as  a  tailor  ;  about  which 
time  I  grew  uneasy  on  account  of  my  business  grow- 
ing too  cumbersome.  I  had  begun  with  selling  trim- 
mings for  garments,  and  from  thence  proceeded 
to  sell  cloths  and  linens ;  and  at  length,  having  got 
a  considerable  shop  of  goods,  my  trade  increased 
every  year,  and  the  way  to  large  business  appeared 
open,  but  I  felt  a  stop  in  my  mind. 

Through  the  mercies  of  the  Almighty,  I  had,  in 
a  good  degree,  learned  to  be  content  with  a  plain 
way  of  living.  I  had  but  a  small  family ;  and,  on 
serious  consideration,  believed  truth  did  not  re- 
quire me  to  engage  much  in  cumbering  affairs.  It 
had  been  my  general  practice  to  buy  and  sell  things 
really  useful.  Things  that  served  chiefly  to  please 
the  vain  mind  in  people,  I  was  not  easy  to  trade 
in ;  seldom  did  it ;  and  whenever  I  did  I  found  it 
weaken  me  as  a  Christian. 

The  increase  of  business  became  my  burden  ; 
for  though  my  natural  inclination  was  toward  mer- 
chandise, yet  I  believed  truth  required  me  to  live 
more  free  from  outward  cumbers  ;  and  there  was 
now  a  strife  in  my  mind  between  the  two.  In  this 
exercise  my  prayers  were  put  up  to  the  Lord,  who 
graciously  heard  me,  and  gave  me  a  heart  resigned 
to  his  holy  will.  Then  I  lessened  my  outward  busi- 
ness, and,  as  I  had  opportunity,  told  my  customers 
of  my  intentions,  that  they  might  consider  what  shop 
to  turn  to  ;  and  in  a  while  I  wholly  laid  down  mer- 
chandise, and  followed  my  trade  as  a  tailor  by  my- 
self, having  no  apprentice.  I  also  had  a  nursery 


92        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

of  apple-trees,  in  which  I  employed  some  of  my 
time  in  hoeing,  grafting,  trimming,  and  inoculating.* 
In  merchandise  it  is  the  custom  where  I  lived  to 
sell  chiefly  on  credit,  and  poor  people  often  get  in 
debt  •  when  payment  is  expected,  not  having  where- 
with to  pay,  their  creditors  often  sue  for  it  at  law. 
Having  frequently  observed  occurrences  of  this 
kind,  I  found  it  good  for  me  to  advise  poor  people 
to  take  such  goods  as  were  most  useful,  and  not 
costly. 

In  the  time  of  trading  I  had  an  opportunity  of 
seeing  that  the  too  liberal  use  of  spirituous  liquors 
and  the  custom  of  wearing  too  costly  apparel  led 
some  people  into  great  inconveniences  ;  and  that 

*  He  seems  to  have  regarded  agriculture  as  the  business 
most  conducive  to  moral  and  physical  health.  He  thought 
"  if  the  leadings  of  the  Spirit  were  more  attended  to,  more 
people  would  be  engaged  in  the  sweet  employment  of  hus- 
bandry, where  labor  is  agreeable  and  healthful."  He  does 
not  condemn  the  honest  acquisition  of  wealth  in  other 
business  free  from  oppression;  even  "merchandising,"  he 
thought,  might  be  carried  on  innocently  and  in  pure  reason. 
Christ  does  not  forbid  the  laying  up  of  a  needful  support  for 
family  and  friends  ;  the  command  is,  "  Lay  not  up  for  YOUR- 
SELVES treasures  on  earth."  From  his  little  farm  on  the 
Rancocas  he  looked  out  with  a  mingled  feeling  of  wonder 
and  sorrow  upon  the  hurry  and  unrest  of  the  world  ;  and 
especially  was  he  pained  to  see  luxury  and  extravagance 
overgrowing  the  early  plainness  and  simplicity  of  his  own 
religious  society.  He  regarded  the  merely  rich  man  with 
unfeigned  pity.  With  nothing  of  his  scorn,  he  had  all  of 
Thoreau's  commiseration,  for  people  who  went  about  bowed 
down  with  the  weight  of  broad  acres  and  great  houses  on 
their  backs. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        93 

these  two  things  appear  to  be  often  connected  with 
each  other.  By  not  attending  to  that  use  of  things 
which  is  consistent  with  universal  righteousness, 
there  is  an  increase  of  labor  which  extends  beyond 
what  our  Heavenly  Father  intends  for  us.  And 
by  great  labor,  and  often  by  much  sweating,  there 
is  even  among  such  as  are  not  drunkards  a  craving 
of  liquors  to  revive  the  spirits  ;  that  partly  by  the 
luxurious  drinking  of  some,  and  partly  by  the  drink- 
ing of  others  (led  to  it  through  immoderate  labor), 
very  great  quantities  of  rum  are  every  year  expend- 
ed in  our  colonies ;  the  greater  part  of  which  we 
should  have  no  need  of,  did  we  steadily  attend  to 
pure  wisdom. 

When  men  take  pleasure  in  feeling  their  minds 
elevated  with  strong  drink,  and  so  indulge  their  ap- 
petite as  to  disorder  their  understandings,  neglect 
their  duty  as  members  of  a  family  or  civil  society, 
and  cast  off  all  regard  to  religion,  their  case  is 
much  to  be  pitied.  And  where  those  whose  lives 
are  for  the  most  part  regular,  and  whose  examples 
have  a  strong  influence  on  the  minds  of  others,  ad- 
here to  some  customs  which  powerfully  draw  to  the 
use  of  more  strong  liquor  than  pure  wisdom  allows, 
it  hinders  the  spreading  of  the  spirit  of  meekness, 
and  strengthens  the  hands  of  the  more  excessive 
drinkers.  This  is  a  case  to  be  lamented. 

Every  degree  of  luxury  hatli  some  connection 
with  evil ;  and  if  those  who  profess  to  be  disciples 
of  Christ,  and  are  looked  upon  as  leaders  of  the 
people,  have  that  mind  in  them  which  was  also  in 


94         The  Joiwnal  of  John  Woolman. 

Christ,  and  so  stand  separate  from  every  wrong  way, 
if  is  a  means  of  help  to  the  weaker.  As  I  have 
sometimes  been  much  spent  in  the  heat  and  have 
taken  spirits  to  revive  me,  I  have  found  by  experi- 
ence, that  in  such  circumstances  the  mind  is  not 
so  calm,  nor  so  fitly  disposed  for  Divine  meditation, 
as  when  all  such  extremes  are  avoided.  I  have  felt 
an  increasing  care  to  attend  to  that  Holy  Spirit 
which  sets  right  bounds  to  our  desires,  and  leads 
those  who  faithfully  follow  it  to  apply  all  the  gifts 
of  Divine  Providence  to  the  purposes  for  which 
they  were  intended.  Did  those  who  have  the  care 
of  great  estates  attend  with  singleness  of  heart  to 
this  heavenly  Instructor,  which  so  opens  and  en- 
larges the  mind  as  to  cause  men  to  love  their 
neighbors  as  themselves,  they  would  have  wisdom 
given  them  to  manage  their  concerns,  without  em- 
ploying some  people  in  providing  the  luxuries  of 
life,  or  others  in  laboring  too  hard ;  but  for  want 
of  steadily  regarding  this  principle  of  Divine  love, 
a  selfish  spirit  takes  place  in  the  minds  of  people, 
which  is  attended  wifh  darkness  and  manifold  con- 
fusions in  the  world. 

Though  trading  in  things  useful  is  an  honest  em- 
ploy, yet  through  the  great  number  of  superfluities 
which  are  bought  and  sold,  and  through  the  cor- 
ruption of  the  times,  they  who  apply  to  merchandise 
for  a  living  have  great  need  to  be  well  experienced 
in  that  precept  which  the  Prophet  Jeremiah  laid 
down  for  his  scribe  :  "  Seekest  thou  great  things 
for  thyself?  seek  them  not." 


The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan.        95 

In  the  winter  this  year  I  was  engaged  with 
friends  in  visiting  families,  and  through  the  good- 
ness of  the  Lord  we  oftentimes  experienced  his 
heart-tendering  presence  amongst  us. 

A  Copy  of  a  Letter  written  to  a  Friend. 

"  In  this,  thy  late  affliction,  I  have  found  a  deep 
fellow-feeling  with  thee,  and  have  had  a  secret  hope 
throughout  that  it  might  please  the  Father  of  Mer- 
cies to  raise  thee  up  and  sanctify  thy  troubles  to 
thee ;  that  thou  being  more  fully  acquainted  with 
that  way  which  the  world  esteems  foolish,  mayst 
feel  the  clothing  of  Divine  fortitude,  and  be 
strengthened  to  resist  that  spirit  which  leads  from 
the  simplicity  of  the  everlasting  truth. 

"We  may  see  ourselves  crippled  and  halting, 
and  from  a  strong  bias  to  things  pleasant  and  easy 
find  an  impossibility  to  advance  forward  ;  but  things 
impossible  with  men  are  possible  with  God ;  and 
our  wills  being  made  subject  to  his,  all  temptations 
are  surmountable. 

"This  work  of  subjecting  the  will  is  compared  to 
the  mineral  in  the  furnace,  which,  through  fervent 
heat,  is  reduced  from  its  first  principle  :  '  He  re- 
fines them  as  silver  is  refined  ;  he  shall  sit  as  a 
refiner  and  purifier  of  silver.'  By  these  compari- 
sons we  are  instructed  in  the  necessity  of  the  melt- 
ing operation  of  the  hand  of  God  upon  us,  to  pre- 
pare our  hearts  truly  to  adore  him,  and  manifest 
that  adoration  by  inwardly  turning  away  from  that 
spirit,  in  all  its  workings,  which  is  not  of  him.  To 


g6        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

forward  this  work  the  all-wise  God  is  sometimes 
pleased,  through  outward  distress,  to  bring  us  near 
the  gates  of  death ;  that  life  being  painful  and 
afflicting,  and  the  prospect  of  eternity  opened  be- 
fore us,  all  earthly  bonds  may  be  loosened,  and  the 
mind  prepared  for  that  deep  and  sacred  instruction 
which  otherwise  would  not  be  received.  If  kind 
parents  love  their  children  and  delight  in  their 
happiness,  then  he  who  is  perfect  goodness  in 
sending  abroad  mortal  contagions  doth  assuredly 
direct  their  use.  Are  the  righteous  removed  by  it  ? 
their  change  is  happy.  Are  the  wicked  taken  away 
in  their  wickedness?  the  Almighty  is  clear.  Do 
we  pass  through  with  anguish  and  great  bitterness, 
and  yet  recover?  He  intends  that  we  should  be 
purged  from  dross,  and  our  ear  opened  to  dis- 
cipline. 

"And  now,  as  thou  art  again  restored,  after  thy 
sore  affliction  and  doubts  of  recovery,  forget  not 
Him  who  hath  helped  thee,  but  in  humble  gratitude 
hold  fast  his  instructions,  and  thereby  shun  those 
by-paths  which  lead  from  the  firm  foundation.  I 
am  sensible  of  that  variety  of  company  to  which 
one  in  thy  business  must  be  exposed  ;  I  have  pain- 
fully felt  the  force  of  conversation  proceeding  from 
men  deeply  rooted  in  an  earthly  mind,  and  can 
sympathize  with  others  in  such  conflicts,  because 
much  weakness  still  attends  me. 

"  I  find  that  to  be  a  fool  as  to  worldly  wisdom, 
and  to  commit  my  cause  to  God,  not  fearing  to 
offend  men,  who  take  offence  at  the  simplicity  of 


The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan.   97 

truth,  is  the  only  way  to  remain  unmoved  at  the 
sentiments  of  others. 

"  The  fear  of  man  brings  a  snare.  By  halting  in 
our  duty,  and  giving  back  in  the  time  of  trial,  our 
hands  grow  weaker,  our  spirits  get  mingled  with 
the  people,  our  ears  grow  dull  as  to  hearing  the 
language  of  the  true  Shepherd,  so  that  when  we 
look  at  the  way  of  the  righteous,  it  seems  as  though 
it  was  not  for  us  to  follow  them. 

<;  A  love  clothes  my  mind  while  I  write,  which  is 
superior  to  all  expression  ;  and  I  find  my  heart 
open  to  encourage  to  a  holy  emulation,  to  advance 
forward  in  Christian  firmness.  Deep  humility  is  a 
strong  bulwark,  and  as  we  enter  into  it  we  find 
safety  and  true  exaltation.  The  foolishness  of 
God  is  wiser  than  man,  and  the  weakness  of  God 
is  stronger  than  man.  Being  unclothed  of  our  own 
wisdom,  and  knowing  the  abasement  of  the  crea- 
ture, we  find  that  power  to  arise  which  gives  health 
and  vigor  to  us." 


98        The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

1757,  1758. 

Visit  to  the  Families  of  Friends  at  Burlington.  —  Journey  to 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  North  Carolina. — 
Considerations  on  the  State  of  Friends  there,  and  the  Exer- 
cise he  was  under  in  Travelling  among  those  so  generally 
concerned  in  keeping  Slaves,  with  some  Observations  on 
this  Subject.  —  Epistle  to  Friends  at  New  Garden  and 
Crane  Creek.  —  Thoughts  on  the  Neglect  of  a  Religious 
Care  in  the  Education  of  the  Negroes. 

THIRTEENTH  fifth  month,  1757.  —  Being  in 
good  health,  and  abroad  with  Friends  visit- 
ing families,  I  lodged  at  a  Friend's  house  in  Bur- 
lington. Going  to  bed  about  the  time  usual  with 
me,  I  awoke  in  the  night,  and  my  meditations,  as  I 
lay,  were  on  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  the  Lord, 
in  a  sense  whereof  my  heart  was  contrited.  After 
this  I  went  to  sleep  again  ;  in  a  short  time  I  awoke  • 
it  was  yet  dark,  and  no  appearance  of  day  or  moon- 
shine, and  as  I  opened  mine  eyes  I  saw  a  light  in 
my  chamber,  at  the  apparent  distance  of  five  feet, 
about  nine  inches  in  diameter,  of  a  clear,  easy 
brightness,  and  near  its  centre  the  most  radiant. 
As  I  lay  still  looking  upon  it  without  any  surprise, 
words  were  spoken  to  my  inward  ear,  which  filled 
my  whole  inward  man.  They  were  not  the  effect  of 
thought,  nor  any  conclusion  in  relation  to  the  ap- 
pearance, but  as  the  language  of  the  Holy  One 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.        99 

spoken  in  my  mind.  The  words  were,  CERTAIN 
EVIDENCE  OF  DIVINE  TRUTH.  They  were  again 
repeated  exactly  in  the  same  manner,  and  then  the 
light  disappeared. 

Feeling  the  exercise  in  relation  to  a  visit  to  the 
Southern  Provinces  to  increase  upon  me,  I  ac- 
quainted our  Monthly  Meeting  therewith,  and  ob- 
tained their  certificate.  Expecting  to  go  alone, 
one  of  my  brothers  who  lived  in  Philadelphia,  hav- 
ing some  business  in  North  Carolina,  proposed 
going  with  me  part  of  the  way ;  but  as  he  had  a 
view  of  some  outward  affairs,  to  accept  of  him  as  a 
companion  was  some  difficulty  with  me,  whereupon 
I  had  conversation  with  him  at  sundry  times.  At 
length  feeling  easy  in  my  mind,  I  had  conversation 
with  several  elderly  Friends  of  Philadelphia  on  the 
subject,  and  he  obtaining  a  certificate  suitable  to 
the  occasion,  we  set  off  in  the  fifth  month,  1757. 
Coming  to  Nottingham  week-day  meeting,  we 
lodged  at  John  Churchman's,  where  I  met  with 
our  friend,  Benjamin  Bufrington,  from  New  Eng- 
land, who  was  returning  from  a  visit  to  the  Southern 
Provinces.  Thence  we  crossed  the  river  Susque- 
hanna,  and  lodged  at  William  Cox's  in  Maryland. 

Soon  after  I  entered  this  province  a  deep  and 
painful  exercise  came  upon  me,  which  I  often  had 
some  feeling  of,  since  my  mind  was  drawn  toward 
these  parts,  and  with  which  I  had  acquainted  my 
brother  before  we  agreed  to  join  as  companions. 
As  the  people  in  this  and  the  Southern  Provinces 
live  much  on  the  labor  of  slaves,  many  of  whom 


ioo      The  Journal  of  John   Woolman. 

are  used  hardly,  my  concern  was  that  I  might 
attend  with  singleness  of  heart  to  the  voice  of  the 
true  Shepherd,  and  be  so  supported  as  to  remain 
unmoved  at  the  faces  of  men. 

As  it  is  common  for  Friends  on  such  a  visit  to 
have  entertainment  free  of  cost,  a  difficulty  arose  in 
my  mind  with  respect  to  saving  my  money  by  kind- 
ness received  from  what  appeared  to  me  to  be  the 
gain  of  oppression.  Receiving  a  gift,  considered 
as  a  gift,  brings  the  receiver  under  obligations  to 
the  benefactor,  and  has  a  natural  tendency  to  draw 
the  obliged  into  a  party  with  the  giver.  To  pre- 
vent difficulties  of  this  kind,  and  to  preserve  the 
minds  of  judges  from  any  bias,  was  that  Divine  pro- 
hibition :  uThou  shall  not  receive  any  gift;  for  a 
gift  blindeth  the  wise,  and  perverteth  the  words 
of  the  righteous."  (Exod.  xxiii.  8.)  As  the  dis- 
ciples were  sent  forth  without  any  provision  for 
their  journey,  and  our  Lord  said  the  workman  is 
worthy  of  his  meat,  their  labor  in  the  gospel  was 
considered  as  a  reward  for  their  entertainment,  and 
therefore  not  received  as  a  gift ;  yet,  in  regard  to 
my  present  journey,  I  could  not  see  my  way  clear 
in  that  respect.  The  difference  appeared  thus : 
the  entertainment  the  disciples  met  with  was  from 
them  whose  hearts  God  had  opened  to  receive 
them,  from  a  love  to  them  and  the  truth  they  pub- 
lished ;  but  we,  considered  as  members  of  the  same 
religious  society,  look  upon  it  as  a  piece  of  civility 
to  receive  each  other  in  such  visits  j  and  such  re- 
ception, at  times,  is  partly  in  regard  to  reputation, 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      101 

and  not  from  an  inward  unity  of  heart  and  spirit. 
Conduct  is  more  convincing  than  language,  and 
where  people,  by  their  actions,  manifest  that  the 
slave-trade  is  not  so  disagreeable  to  their  principles 
but  that  it  may  be  encouraged,  there  is  not  a  sound 
uniting  with  some  Friends  who  visit  them. 

The  prospect  of  so  weighty  a  work,  and  of  being 
so  distinguished  from  many  whom  I  esteemed  be- 
fore myself,  brought  me  very  low,  and  such  were 
the  conflicts  of  my  soul  that  I  had  a  near  sympathy 
with  the  Prophet,  in  the  time  of  his  weakness,  when 
he  said  :  "  If  thou  deal  thus  with  me,  kill  me,  I 
pray  thee,  if  I  have  found  favor  in  thy  sight." 
(Num.  xi.  15.)  But  I  soon  saw  that  this  proceeded 
from  the  want  of  a  full  resignation  to  the  Divine 
will.  Many  were  the  afflictions  which  attended  me, 
and  in  great  abasement,  with  many  tears,  my  cries 
were  to  the  Almighty  for  his  gracious  and  fatherly 
assistance,  and  after  a  time  of  deep  trial  I  was 
favored  to  understand  the  state  mentioned  by  the 
Psalmist  more  clearly  than  ever  I  had  done  before  ; 
to  wit :  "  My  soul  is  even  a,s  a  weaned  child." 
(Psalm  cxxxi.  2.)  Being  thus  helped  to  sink  down 
into  resignation,  I  felt  a  deliverance  from  that  tem- 
pest in  which  I  had  been  sorely  exercised,  and  in 
calmness  of  mind  went  forward,  trusting  that  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  I  faithfully  attended  to  him, 
would  be  a  counsellor  to  me  in  all  difficulties,  and 
that  by  his  strength  I  should  be  enabled  even  to 
leave  money  with  the  members  of  society  where 
I  had  entertainment,  when  I  found  that  omitting  it 


IO2      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

would  obstruct  that  work  to  which  I  believed  he 
had  called  me.  As  I  copy  this  after  my  return, 
I  may  here  add,  that  oftentimes  I  did  so  under  a 
sense  of  duty.  The  way  in  which  I  did  it  was 
thus :  when  I  expected  soon  to  leave  a  Friend's 
house  where  I  had  entertainment,  if  I  believed  that 
I  should  not  keep  clear  from  the  gain  of  oppression 
without  leaving  money,  I  spoke  to  one  of  the  heads 
of  the  family  privately,  and  desired  them  to  accept 
of  those  pieces  of  silver,  and  give  them  to  such  of 
their  negroes  as  they  believed  would  make  the  best 
use  of  them ;  and  at  other  times  I  gave  them  to 
the  negroes  myself,  as  the  way  looked  clearest  to 
me.  Before  I  came  out,  I  had  provided  a  large 
number  of  small  pieces  for  this  purpose  and  thus 
offering  them  to  some  who  appeared  to  be  wealthy 
people  was  a  trial  both  to  me  and  them.  But  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  so  covered  me  at  times  that  my 
way  was  made  easier  than  I  expected  ;  and  few,  if 
any,  manifested  any  resentment  at  the  offer,  and 
most  of  them,  after  some  conversation,  accepted  of 
them. 

Ninth  of  fifth  month.  —  A  Friend  at  whose  house 
we  breakfasted  setting  us  a  little  on  our  way,  I  had 
conversation  with  him,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  con- 
cerning his  slaves,  in  which  my  heart  was  tender  ; 
I  used  much  plainness  of  speech  with  him,  and 
he  appeared  to  take  it  kindly.  We  pursued  our 
journey  without  appointing  meetings,  being  pressed 
in  my  mind  to  be  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  Virginia. 
In  my  travelling  on  the  road,  I  often  felt  a  cry  rise 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      103 

from  the  centre  of  my  mind,  thus  :  "  O  Lord,  I  am 
a  stranger  on  the  earth,  hide  not  thy  face  from  me." 
On  the  nth,  we  crossed  the  rivers  Patowmack 
and  Rapahannock,  and  lodged  at  Port  Royal.  On 
the  way  we  had  the  company  of  a  colonel  of  the 
militia,  who  appeared  to  be  a  thoughtful  man.  I 
took  occasion  to  remark  on  the  difference  in  general 
betwixt  a  people  used  to  labor  moderately  for  their 
living,  training  up  their  children  in-  frugality  and 
business,  and  those  who  live  on  the  labor  of  slaves ; 
the  former,  in  my  view,  being  the  most  happy  life. 
He  concurred  in  the  remark,  and  mentioned  the 
trouble  arising  from  the  untoward,  slothful  dispo- 
sition of  the  negroes,  adding  that  one  of  our  labor- 
ers would  do  as  much  in  a  day  as  two  of  their 
slaves.  I  replied,  that  free  men,  whose  minds 
were  properly  on  their  business,  found  a  satisfac- 
tion in  improving,  cultivating,  and  providing  for 
their  families  ;  but  negroes,  laboring  to  support 
others  who  claim  them  as  their  property,  and  ex- 
pecting nothing  but  slavery  during  life,  had  not  the 
like  inducement  to  be  industrious. 

After  some  further  conversation  I  said,  that  men 
having  power  too  often  misapplied  it ;  that  though 
we  made  slaves  of  the  negroes,  and  the  Turks  made 
slaves  of  the  Christians,  I  believed  that  liberty  was 
the  natural  right  of  all  men  equally.  This  he  did 
not  deny,  but  said  the  lives  of  the  negroes  were  so 
wretched  in  their  own  country  that  many  of  them 
lived  better  here  than  there.  I  replied,  "  There  is 
great  odds  in  regard  to  us  on  what  principle  we 


IO4      The  Jottrnal  of  John  Woolman. 

act"  j  and  so  the  conversation  on  that  subject  ended. 
I  may  here  add  that  another  person,  some  time 
afterwards,  mentioned  the  wretchedness  of  the 
negroes,  occasioned  by  their  intestine  wars,  as  an 
argument  in  favor  of  our  fetching  them  away  for 
slaves.  To  which  I  replied,  if  compassion  for  the 
Africans,  on  account  of  their  domestic  troubles, 
was  the  real  motive  of  our  purchasing  them,  that 
spirit  of  tenderness  being  attended  to,  would  incite 
us  to  use  them  kindly,  that,  as  strangers  brought 
out  of  affliction,  their  lives  might  be  happy  among 
us.  And  as  they  are  human  creatures,  whose  souls 
are  as  precious  as  ours,  and  who  may  receive  the 
same  help  and  comfort  from  the  Holy  Scriptures  as 
we  do,  we  could  not  omit  suitable  endeavors  to 
instruct  them  therein  ;  but  that  while  we  manifest 
by  our  conduct  that  our  views  in  purchasing  them 
are  to  advance  ourselves,  and  while  our  buying 
captives  taken  in  war  animates  those  parties  to 
push  on  the  war,  and  increase  desolation  amongst 
them,  to  say  they  live  unhappily  in  Africa  is  far 
from  being  an  argument  in  our  favor.  I  further 
said,  the  present  circumstances  of  these  provinces 
to  me  appear  difficult ;  the  slaves  look  like  a 
burdensome  stone  to  such  as  burden  themselves 
with  them ;  and  that  if  the  white  people  retain  a 
resolution  to  prefer  their  outward  prospects  of  gain 
to  all  other  considerations,  and  do  not  act  consci- 
entiously toward  them  as  fellow-creatures,  I  believe 
that  burden  will  grow  heavier  and  heavier,  until 
times  change  in  a  way  disagreeable  to  us.  The 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       105 

person  appeared  very  serious,  and  owned  that  in 
considering  their  condition  and  the  manner  of 
their  treatment  in  these  provinces  he  had  some- 
times thought  it  might  be  just  in  the  Almighty  so 
to  order  it. 

Having  travelled  through  Maryland,  we  came 
amongst  Friends  at  Cedar  Creek  in  Virginia,  on 
the  i2th;  and  the  next  day  rode,  in  company 
with  several  of  them,  a  day's  journey  to  Camp 
Creek.  As  I  was  riding  along  in  the  morning,  my 
mind  was  deeply  affected  in  a  sense  I  had  of  the 
need  of  Divine  aid  to  support  me  in  the  various 
difficulties  which  attended  me,  and  in  uncommon 
distress  of  mind  I  cried  in  secret  to  the  Most 
High,  "  O  Lord  be  merciful,  I  beseech  thee,  to 
thy  poor  afflicted  creature  !  "  After  some  time,  I 
felt  inward  relief,  and,  soon  after,  a  Friend  in  com- 
pany began  to  talk  in  support  of  the  slave-trade, 
and  said  the  negroes  were  understood  to  be  the 
offspring  of  Cain,  their  blackness  being  the  mark 
which  God  set  upon  him  after  he  murdered  Abel 
his  brother ;  that  it  was  the  design  of  Providence 
they  should  be  slaves,  as  a  condition  proper  to  the 
race  of  so  wicked  a  man  as  Cain  was.  Then  an- 
other spake  in  support  of  what  had  been  said.  To 
all  which  I  replied  in  substance  as  follows:  that 
Noah  and  his  family  were  all  who  survived  the 
flood,  according  to  Scripture  ;  and  as  Noah  was  of 
Seth's  race,  the  family  of  Cain  was  wholly  destroyed. 
One  of  them  said  that  after  the  flood  Ham  went  to 
the  land  of  Nod  and  took  a  wife ;  that  Nod  was  a 


Io6w    The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

land  far  distant,  inhabited  by  Cain's  race,  and  that 
the  flood  did  not  reach  it  j  and  as  Ham  was  sen- 
tenced to  be  a  servant  of  servants  to  his  brethren, 
these  two  families,  being  thus  joined,  were  un- 
doubtedly fit  only  for  slaves.  I  replied,  the  flood 
was  a  judgment  upon  the  world  for  their  abomi- 
nations, and  it  was  granted  that  Cain's  stock  was 
the  most  wicked,  and  therefore  unreasonable  to 
suppose  that  they  were  spared.  As  to  Ham's  going 
to  the  land  of  Nod  for  a  wife,  no  time  being  fixed, 
Nod  might  be  inhabited  by  some  of  Noah's  family 
before  Ham  married  a  second  time ;  moreover  the 
text  saith  "That  all  flesh  died  that  moved  upon 
the  earth."  (Gen.  vii.  21.)  I  further  reminded  them 
how  the  prophets  repeatedly  declare  "  that  the  son 
shall  not  suffer  for  the  iniquity  of  the  father,  but 
every  one  be  answerable  for  his  own  sins."  I  was 
troubled  to  perceive  the  darkness  of  their  imagina- 
tions, and  in  some  pressure  of  spirit  said,  "  The  love 
of  ease  and  gain  are  the  motives  in  general  of  keep- 
ing slaves,  and  men  are  wont  to  take  hold  of  weak 
arguments  to  support  a  cause  which  is  unreason- 
able. I  have  no  interest  on  either  side,  save  only 
the  interest  which  I  desire  to  have  in  the  truth.  I 
believe  liberty  is  their  right,  and  as  I  see  they  are 
not  only  deprived  of  it,  but  treated  in  other  respects 
with  inhumanity  in  many  places,  I  believe  He  who 
is  a  refuge  for  the  oppressed  will,  in  his  own  time, 
plead  their  cause,  and  happy  will  it  be  for  such  as 
walk  in  uprightness  before  him."  And  thus  our 
conversation  ended. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      107 

Fourteenth  of  fifth  month.  —  I  was  this  day  at 
Camp  Creek  Monthly  Meeting,  and  then  rode  to  the 
mountains  up  James  River,  and  had  a  meeting  at  a 
Friend's  house,  in  both  which  I  felt  sorrow  of  heart, 
and  my  tears  were  poured  out  before  the  Lord,  who 
was  pleased  to  afford  a  degree  of  strength  by  which 
way  was  opened  to  clear  my  mind  amongst  Friends 
in  those  places.  From  thence  I  went  to  Fork 
Creek,  and  so  to  Cedar  Creek  again,  at  which 
place  I  now  had  a  meeting.  Here  I  found  a  ten- 
der seed,  and  as  .1  was  preserved  in  the  ministry  to 
keep  low  with  the  truth,  the  same  truth  in  their 
hearts  answered  it,  that  it  was  a  time  of  mutual  re- 
freshment from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  I  lodged 
at  James  Standley's,  father  of  William  Standley,  one 
of  the  young  men  who  suffered  imprisonment  at 
Winchester  last  summer  on  account  of  their  testi- 
mony against  fighting,  and  I  had  some  satisfactory 
conversation  with  him  concerning  it.  Hence  I 
went  to  the  Swamp  Meeting,  and  to  Wayanoke 
Meeting,  and  then  crossed  James  River,  and  lodged 
near  Burleigh.  From  the  time  of  my  entering 
Maryland  I  have  been  much  under  sorrow,  which 
of  late  so  increased  upon  me  that  my  mind  was  al- 
most overwhelmed,  and  I  may  say  with  the  Psalm- 
ist, "  In  my  distress  I  called  upon  the  Lord,  and 
cried  to  my  God,"  who,  in  infinite  goodness,  looked 
upon  my  affliction,  and  in  my  private  retirement 
sent  the  Comforter  for  my  relief,  for  which  I  hum- 
bly bless  his  holy  name. 

The  sense  I  had  of  the  state  of  the  churches 


io8      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

brought  a  weight  of  distress  upon  me.  The  gold  to 
me  appeared  dim,  and  the  fine  gold  changed,  and 
though  this  is  the  case  too  generally,  yet  the  sense 
of  it  in  these  parts  hath  in  a  particular  manner 
borne  heavy  upon  me.  It  appeared  to  me  that 
through  the  prevailing  of  the  spirit  of  this  world  the 
minds  of  many  were  brought  to  an  inward  desola- 
tion, and  instead  of  the  spirit  of  meekness,  gentle- 
ness, and  heavenly  wisdom,  which  are  the  necessary 
companions  of  the  true  sheep  of  Christ,  a  spirit  of 
fierceness  and  the  love  of  dominion  too  generally 
prevailed.  From  small  beginnings  in  error  great 
buildings  by  degrees  are  raised,  and  from  one  age 
to  another  are  more  and  more  strengthened  by  the 
general  concurrence  of  the  people  ;  and  as  men 
obtain  reputation  by  their  profession  of  the  truth, 
their  virtues  are  mentioned  as  arguments  in  favor 
of  general  error ;  and  those  of  less  note,  to  justify 
themselves,  say,  such  and  such  good  men  did  the 
like.  By  what  other  steps  could  the  people  of 
Judah  arise  to  that  height  in  wickedness  as  to  give 
just  ground  for  the  Prophet  Isaiah  to  declare,  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  "  that  none  calleth  for  justice, 
nor  any  pleadeth  for  truth  "  (Isa.  lix.  4),  or  for  the 
Almighty  to  call  upon  the  great  city  of  Jerusalem 
just  before  the  Babylonish  captivity,  "  If  ye  can 
find  a  man,  if  there  be  any  who  executeth  judg- 
ment, that  seeketh  the  truth,  and  I  will  pardon  it  "  ? 
(Jer.  v.  i.) 

The  prospect  of  a  way  being  open  to  the  same 
degeneracy,  in  some  parts  of  this  newly  settled 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       109 

land  of  America,  in  respect  to  our  conduct  towards 
the  negroes,  hath  deeply  bowed  my  mind  in  this 
journey,  and  though  briefly  to  relate  how  these 
people  are  treated  is  no  agreeable  work,  yet,  after 
often  reading  over  the  notes  I  made  as  I  travelled, 
I  find  my  mind  engaged  to  preserve  them.  Many 
of  the  white  people  in  those  provinces  take  little  or 
no  care  of  negro  marriages  ;  and  when  negroes 
marry  after  their  own  way,  some  make  so  little 
account  of  those  marriages  that  with  views  of  out- 
ward interest  they  often  part  men  from  their  wives 
by  selling  them  far  asunder,  which  is  common  when 
estates  are  sold  by  executors  at  vendue.  Many 
whose  labor  is  heavy  being  followed  at  their  busi- 
ness in  the  field  by  a  man  with  a  whip,  hired  for 
that  purpose,  have  in  common  little  else  allowed 
but  one  peck  of  Indian  corn  and  some  salt,  for  one 
week,  with  a  few  potatoes  ;  the  potatoes  they  com- 
monly raise  by  their  labor  on  the  first  day  of  the 
week.  The  correction  ensuing  on  their  disobedi- 
ence to  overseers,  or  slothfulness  in  business,  is 
often  very  severe,  and  sometimes  desperate. 

Men  and  women  have  many  times  scarcely 
clothes  sufficient  to  hide  their  nakedness,  and 
boys  and  girls  ten  and  twelve  years  old  are  often 
quite  naked  amongst  their  master's  children.  Some 
of  our  Society,  and  some  of  the  society  called  New- 
lights,  use  some  endeavors  to  instruct  those  they 
have  in  reading ;  but  in  common  this  is  not  only 
neglected,  but  disapproved.  These  are  the  people 
by  whose  labor  the  other  inhabitants  are  in  a  great 


tio      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

measure  supported,  and  many  of  them  in  the  luxu- 
ries of  life.  These  are  the  people  who  have  made 
no  agreement  to  serve  us,  and  who  have  not  for- 
feited their  liberty  that  we  know  of.  These  are  the 
souls  for  whom  Christ  died,  and  for  our  conduct 
towards  them  we  must  answer  before  Him  who  is  no 
respecter  of  persons.  They  who  know  the  only 
true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  he  hath  sent,  and 
are  thus  acquainted  with  the  merciful,  benevolent, 
gospel  spirit,  will  therein  perceive  that  the  indigna- 
tion of  God  is  kindled  against  oppression  and 
cruelty,  and  in  beholding  the  great  distress  of  so 
numerous  a  people  will  find  cause  for  mourning. 

From  my  lodgings  I  went  to  Burleigh  Meeting, 
where  I  felt  my  mind  drawn  in  a  quiet,  resigned 
state.  After  long  silence  I  felt  an  engagement  to 
stand  up,  and  through  the  powerful  operation  of 
Divine  love  we  were  favored  with  an  edifying  meet- 
ing. The  next  meeting  we  had  was  at  Black- 
Water,  and  from  thence  went  to  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing at  the  Western  Branch.  When  business  began, 
some  queries  were  introduced  by  some  of  their 
members  for  consideration,  and,  if  approved,  they 
were  to  be  answered  hereafter  by  their  respective 
Monthly  Meetings.  They  were  the  Pennsylvania 
queries,  which  had  been  examined  by  a  committee 
of  Virginia  Yearly  Meeting  appointed  the  last  year, 
who  made  some  alterations  in  them,  one  of  which 
alterations  was  made  in  favor  of  a  custom  which 
troubled  me.  The  query  was,  "  Are  there  any 
concerned  in  the  importation  of  negroes,  or  in 


The  yotirnal  of  John  Woohnan.      1 1 1 

buying  them  after  imported  ? "  which  was  thus 
altered,  "  Are  there  any  concerned  in  the  impor- 
tation of  negroes,  or  buying  them  to  trade  in  ? " 
As  one  query  admitted  with  unanimity  was,  "  Are 
any  concerned  in  buying  or  vending  goods  unlaw- 
fully imported,  or  prize  goods  ?  "  I  found  my  mind 
engaged  to  say  that  as  we  profess  the  truth,  and 
were  there  assembled  to  support  the  testimony  of 
it,  it  was  necessary  for  us  to  dwell  deep  and  act  in 
that  wisdom  which  is  pure,  or  otherwise  we  could 
not  prosper.  I  then  mentioned  their  alteration, 
and  referring  to  the  last-mentioned  query,  added, 
that  as  purchasing  any  merchandise  taken  by  the 
sword  was  always  allowed  to  be  inconsistent  with 
our  principles,  so  negroes  being  captives  of  war,  or 
taken  by  stealth,  it  was  inconsistent  with  our  testi- 
mony to  buy  them  ;  and  their  being  our  fellow- 
creatures,  and  sold  as  slaves,  added  greatly  to  the 
iniquity.  Friends  appeared  attentive  to  what  was 
said ;  some  expressed  a  care  and  concern  about 
their  negroes  ;  none  made  any  objection,  by  way  of 
reply  to  what  I  said,  but  the  query  was  admitted  as 
they  had  altered  it. 

As  some  of  their  members  have  heretofore  traded 
in  negroes,  as  in  other  merchandise,  this  query  being 
admitted  will  be  one  step  further  than  they  have 
hitherto  gone,  and  I  did  not  see  it  my  duty  to  press 
for  an  alteration,  but  felt  easy  to  leave  it  all  to  Him 
who  alone  is  able  to  turn  the  hearts  of  the  mighty, 
and  make  way  for  the  spreading  of  truth  on  the 
earth,  by  means  agreeable  to  his  infinite  wisdom. 


H2      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

In  regard  to  those  they  already  had,  I  felt  my  mind 
engaged  to  labor  with  them,  and  said  that  as  we 
believe  the  Scriptures  were  given  forth  by  holy  men, 
as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  many 
of  us  know  by  experience  that  they  are  often  help- 
ful and  comfortable,  and  believe  ourselves  bound 
in  duty  to  teach  our  children  to  read  them  ;  I  be- 
lieved that  if  we  were  divested  of  all  selfish  views, 
the  same  good  spirit  that  gave  them  forth  would 
engage  us  to  teach  "the  negroes  to  read,  that  they 
might  have  the  benefit  of  them.  Some  present 
manifested  a  concern  to  take  more  care  in  the  edu- 
cation of  their  negroes. 

Twenty-ninth  fifth  month.  —  At  the  house  where 
I  lodged  was  a  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders.  I 
found  an  engagement  to  speak  freely  and  plainly  to 
them  concerning  their  slaves  ;  mentioning  how  they 
as  the  first  rank  in  the  society,  whose  conduct  in 
that  case  was  much  noticed  by  others,  were  under 
the  stronger  obligations  to  look  carefully  to  them- 
selves. Expressing  how  needful  it  was  for  them  in 
that  situation  to  be  thoroughly  divested  of  all  selfish 
views ;  that,  living  in  the  pure  truth,  and  acting 
conscientiously  towards  those  people  in  their  educa- 
tion and  otherwise,  they  might  be  instrumental  in 
helping  forward  a  work  so  exceedingly  necessary, 
and  so  much  neglected  amongst  them.  At  the 
twelfth  hour  the  meeting  of  worship  began,  which 
was  a  solid  meeting. 

The  next  day,  about  the  tenth  hour,  Friends  met 
to  finish  their  business,  and  then  the  meeting  for 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       113 

worship  ensued,  which  to  me  was  a  laborious  time  ; 
but  through  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  truth,  I  be- 
lieved, gained  some  ground,  and  it  was  a  strength- 
ening opportunity  to  the  honest-hearted. 

About  this  time  I  wrote  an  epistle  to  Friends  in  the 
back  settlements  of  North  Carolina,  as  follows  :  — 

To  FRIENDS  AT  THEIR  MONTHLY  MEETING  AT  NEW  GAR- 
DEN AND  CANE  CREEK,  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA  :  — 

DEAR  FRIENDS,  —  It  having  pleased  the  Lord  to 
draw  me  forth  on  a  visit  to  some  parts  of  Virginia 
and  Carolina,  you  have  often  been  in  my  mind ; 
and  though  my  way  is  not  clear  to  come  in  person 
to  visit  you,  yet  I  feel  it  in  my  heart  to  communi- 
cate a  few  things,  as  they  arise  in  the  love  of  truth. 
First,  my  dear  friends,  dwell  in  humility  ;  and  take 
heed  that  no  views  of  outward  gain  get  too  deep 
hold  of  you,  that  so  your  eyes  being  single  to  the 
Lord,  you  may  be  preserved  in  the  way  of  safety. 
Where  people  let  loose  their  minds  after  the  love 
of  outward  things,  and  are  more  engaged  in  pursu- 
ing the  profits  and  seeking  the  friendships  of  this 
world  than  to  be  inwardly  acquainted  with  the  way 
of  true  peace,  they  walk  in  a  vain  shadow,  while  the 
true  comfort  of  life  is  wanting.  Their  examples 
are  often  hurtful  to  others ;  and  their  treasures  thus 
collected  do  many  times  prove  dangerous  snares  to 
their  children. 

But  where  people  are  sincerely  devoted  to  follow 
Christ,  and  dwell  under  the  influence  of  his  Holy 
Spirit,  their  stability  and  firmness,  through  a  Divine 
blessing,  is  at  times  like  dew  on  the  tender  plants 


114      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

round  about  them,  and  the  weightiness  of  their 
spirits  secretly  works  on  the  minds  of  others.  In 
this  condition,  through  the  spreading  influence  of 
Divine  love,  they  feel  a  care  over  the  flock,  and 
way  is  opened  for  maintaining  good  order  in  the 
Society.  And  though  we  may  meet  with  opposition 
from  another  spirit,  yet,  as  there  is  a  dwelling  in 
meekness,  feeling  our  spirits  subject,  and  moving 
only  in  the  gentle,  peaceable  wisdom,  the  inward  re- 
ward of  quietness  will  be  greater  than  all  our  diffi- 
culties. Where  the  pure  life  is  kept  to,  and  meet- 
ings of  discipline  are  held  in  the  authority  of  it,  we 
find  by  experience  that  they  are  comfortable,  and 
tend  to  the  health  of  the  body. 

While  I  write,  the  youth  come  fresh  in  my  way. 
Dear  young  people,  choose  God  for  your  portion  ; 
love  his  truth,  and  be  not  ashamed  of  it ;  choose  for 
your  company  such  as  serve  him  in  uprightness  ; 
and  shun  as  most  dangerous  the  conversation  of 
those  whose  lives  are  of  an  ill  savor ;  for  by  fre- 
quenting such  company  some  hopeful  young  peo- 
ple have  come  to  great  loss,  and  been  drawn  from 
less  evils  to  greater,  to  their  utter  ruin.  In  the 
bloom  of  youth  no  ornament  is  so  lovely  as  that  of 
virtue,  nor  any  enjoyments  equal  to  those  which  we 
partake  of  in  fully  resigning  ourselves  to  the  Divine 
will.  These  enjoyments  add  sweetness  to  all  other 
comforts,  and  give  true  satisfaction  in  company  and 
conversation,  where  people  are  mutually  acquainted 
with  it ;  and  as  your  minds  are  thus  seasoned  with 
the  truth,  you  will  find  strength  to  abide  steadfast 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       115 

to  the  testimony  of  it,  and  be  prepared  for  services 
in  the  church. 

And  now,  dear  friends  and  brethren,  as  you  are 
improving  a  wilderness,  and  may  be  numbered 
amongst  the  first  planters  in  one  part  of  a  province, 
I  beseech  you,  in  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  wisely 
to  consider  the  force  of  your  examples,  and  think 
how  much  your  successors  may  be  thereby  affected. 
It  is  a  help  in  a  country,  yea,  and  a  great  favor  and 
blessing,  when  customs  first  settled  are  agreeable  to 
sound  wisdom ;  but  when  they  are  otherwise  the 
effect  of  them  is  grievous ;  and  children  feel  them- 
selves encompassed  with  difficulties  prepared  for 
them  by  their  predecessors. 

As  moderate  care  and  exercise,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  true  wisdom,  are  useful  both  to  mind  and 
body,  so  by  these  means  in  general  the  real  wants 
of  life  are  easily  supplied,  our  gracious  Father 
having  so  proportioned  one  to  the  other  that  keep- 
ing in  the  medium  we  may  pass  on  quietly.  Where 
slaves  are  purchased  to  do  our  labor  numerous  dif- 
ficulties attend  it.  To  rational  creatures  bondage 
is  uneasy,  and  frequently  occasions  sourness  and 
discontent  in  them ;  which  affects  the  family  and 
such  as  claim  the  mastery  over  them.  Thus  people 
and  their  children  are  many  times  encompassed 
with  vexations,  which  arise  from  their  applying  to 
wrong  methods  to  get  a  living. 

I  have  been  informed  that  there  is  a  large  num- 
ber of  Friends  in  your  parts  who  have  no  slaves  ; 
and  in  tender  and  most  affectionate  love  I  beseech 


n6      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

you  to  keep  clear  from  purchasing  any.  Look,  my 
dear  friends,  to  Divine  Providence,  and  follow  in 
simplicity  that  exercise  of  body,  that  plainness  and 
frugality,  which  true  wisdom  leads  to ;  so  may  you 
be  preserved  from  those  dangers  which  attend  such 
as  are  aiming  at  outward  ease  and  greatness. 

Treasures,  though  small,  attained  on  a  true  prin- 
ciple of  virtue,  are  sweet ;  and  while  we  walk  in  the 
light  of  the  Lord  there  is  true  comfort  and  satisfac- 
tion in  the  possession  ;  neither  the  murmurs  of  an 
oppressed  people,  nor  a  throbbing,  uneasy  con- 
science, nor  anxious  thoughts  about  the  events  of 
things,  hinder  the  enjoyment  of  them. 

When  we  look  towards  the  end  of  life,  and  think 
on  the  division  of  our  substance  among  our  succes- 
sors, if  we  know  that  it  was  collected  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  in  honesty,  in  equity,  and  in  upright- 
ness of  heart  before  him,  we  may  consider  it  as  his 
gift  to  us,  and,  with  a  single  eye  to  his  blessing, 
bestow  it  on  those  we  leave  behind  us.  Such  is  the 
happiness  of  the  plain  ways  of  true  virtue.  "  The 
work  of  righteousness  shall  be  peace  ;  and  the  ef- 
fect of  righteousness,  quietness  and  assurance  for- 
ever." (Isa.  xxxii.  17.) 

Dwell  here,  my  dear  friends  ;  and  then  in  remote 
and  solitary  deserts  you  mayfind  true  peace  and  satis- 
faction. If  the  Lord  be  our  God,  in  truth  and  reality, 
there  is  safety  for  us ;  for  he  is  a  stronghold  in  the 
day  of  trouble,  and  knoweth  them  that  trust  in  him. 

ISLE  OF  WIGHT  COUNTY,  in  Virginia, 
20th  of  the  5th  month,  1757. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       117 

From  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  Virginia  I  went  to 
Carolina,  and  on  the  ist  of  sixth  month  was  at 
Wells  Monthly  Meeting,  where  the  spring  of  the 
gospel  ministry  was  opened,  and  the  love  of  Jesus 
Christ  experienced  among  us  ;  to  his  name  be  the 
praise. 

Here  my  brother  joined  with  some  Friends  from 
New  Garden  who  were  going  homeward  ;  and  I 
went  next  to  Simons  Creek  Monthly  Meeting,  where 
I  was  silent  during  the  meeting  for  worship.  When 
business  came  on,  my  mind  was  exercised  concern- 
ing the  poor  slaves,  but  I  did  not  feel  my  way  clear 
to  speak.  In  this  condition  I  was  bowed  in  spirit 
before  the  Lord,  and  with  tears  and  inward  suppli- 
cation besought  him  so  to  open  my  understanding 
that  I  might  know  his  will  concerning  me  ;  and,  at 
length,  my  mind  was  settled  in  silence.  Near  the 
end  of  their  business  a  member  of  their  meeting  ex- 
pressed a  concern  that  had  some  time  lain  upon 
him,  on  account  of  Friends  so  much  neglecting  their 
duty  in  the  education  of  their  slaves,  and  proposed 
having  meetings  sometimes  appointed  for  them  on 
a  week-day,  to  be  attended  only  by  some  Friends  to 
be  named  in  their  Monthly  Meetings.  Many  pres- 
ent appeared  to  unite  with  the  proposal.  One  said 
he  had  often  wondered  that  they,  being  our  fellow- 
creatures,  and  capable  of  religious  understanding, 
had  been  so  exceedingly  neglected ;  another  ex- 
pressed the  like  concern,  and  appeared  zealous  that 
in  future  it  might  be  more  closely  considered.  At 
length  a  minute  was  made,  and  the  further  consid- 


Ii8      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

eration  of  it  referred  to  their  next  Monthly  Meeting. 
The  Friend  who  made  this  proposal  hath  negroes  ; 
he  told  me  that  he  was  at  New  Garden,  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  home,  and  came  back 
alone  ;  that  in  this  solitary  journey  this  exercise,  in 
regard  to  the  education  of  their  negroes,  was  from 
time  to  time  renewed  in  his  mind.  A  Friend  of  some 
note  in  Virginia,  who  hath  slaves,  told  me  that  he 
being  far  from  home  on  a  lonesome  journey  had 
many  serious  thoughts  about  them  ;  and  his  mind 
was  so  impressed  therewith  that  he  believed  he  saw 
a  time  coming  when  Divine  Providence  would  alter 
the  circumstance  of  these  people,  respecting  their 
condition  as  slaves. 

From  hence  I  went  to  a  meeting  at  Newbegun 
Creek,  and  sat  a  considerable  time  in  much  weak- 
ness ;  then  I  felt  truth  open  the  way  to  speak  a 
little  in  much  plainness  and  simplicity,  till  at 
length,  through  the  increase  of  Divine  love  amongst 
us,  we  had  a  seasoning  opportunity.  This  was  also 
the  case  at  the  head  of  Little  River,  where  we  had 
a  crowded  meeting  on  a  first-day.  I  went  thence 
to  the  Old  Neck,  where  I  was  led  into  a  careful 
searching  out  of  the  secret  workings  of  the  mystery 
of  iniquity,  which,  under  a  cover  of  religion,  exalts 
itself  against  that  pure  spirit  which  leads  in  the  way 
of  meekness  and  self-denial.  Pineywoods  was  the 
last  meeting  I  was  at  in  Carolina  ;  it  was  large,  and 
my  heart  being  deeply  engaged,  I  was  drawn  forth 
into  a  fervent  labor  amongst  them. 

When  I  was  at  Newbegun  Creek  a  Friend  was 


The  Joiirnal  of  John  Woolman.      119 

there  who  labored  for  his  living,  having  no  negroes, 
and  who  had  been  a  minister  many  years.  He 
came  to  me  the  next  day,  and  as  we  rode  together, 
he  signified  that  he  wanted  to  talk  with  me  con- 
cerning a  difficulty  he  had  been  under,  which  he 
related  nearly  as  follows.  That  as  moneys  had  of 
late  years  been  raised  by  a  tax  to  carry  on  the 
wars,  he  had  a  scruple  in  his  mind  in  regard  to 
paying  it,  and  chose  rather  to  suffer  distraint  of  his 
goods  j  but  as  he  was  the  only  person  who  refused 
it  in  those  parts,  and  knew  not  that  any  one  else 
was  in  the  like  circumstances,  he  signified  that  it 
had  been  a  heavy  trial  to  him,  especially  as  some 
of  his  brethren  had  been  uneasy  with  his  conduct 
in  that  case.  He  added,  that  from  a  sympathy  he 
felt  with  me  yesterday  in  meeting,  he  found  freedom 
thus  to  open  the  matter  in  the  way  of  querying  con- 
cerning Friends  in  our  parts  \  I  told  him  the  state 
of  Friends  amongst  us  as  well  as  I  was  able,  and 
also  that  I  had  for  some  time  been  under  the  like 
scruple.  I  believed  him  to  be  one  who  was  con- 
cerned to  walk  uprightly  before  the  Lord,  and 
esteemed  it  my  duty  to  preserve  this  note  con- 
cerning him,  Samuel  Newby. 

From  hence  I  went  back  into  Virginia,  and  had 
a  meeting  near  James  Cowpland's ;  it  was  a  time 
of  inward  suffering,  but  through  the  goodness  of  the 
Lord  I  was  made  content ;  at  another  meeting, 
through  the  renewings  of  pure  love,  we  had  a  very 
comfortable  season. 

Travelling  up  and  down  of  late,  I  have  had  re- 


I2O      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

newed  evidences  that  to  be  faithful  to  the  Lord, 
and  content  with  his  will  concerning  me,  is  a  most 
necessary  and  useful  lesson  for  me  to  be  learning  ; 
looking  less  at  the  effects  of  my  labor  than  at  the 
pure  motion  and  reality  of  the  concern,  as  it  arises 
from  heavenly  love.  In  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  ever- 
lasting strength  ;  and  as  the  mind,  by  humble  resig- 
nation, is  united  to  Him,  and  we  utter  words  from 
an  inward  knowledge  that  they  arise  from  the 
heavenly  spring,  though  our  way  may  be  difficult, 
and  it  may  require  close  attention  to  keep  in  it, 
and  though  the  manner  in  which  we  may  be  led 
may  tend  to  our  own  abasement ;  yet,  if  we  con- 
tinue in  patience  and  meekness,  heavenly  peace 
will  be  the  reward  of  our  labors. 

I  attended  Curies  Meeting,  which,  though  small, 
was  reviving  to  the  honest-hearted.  Afterwards  I 
went  to  Black  Creek  and  Caroline  Meetings,  from 
whence,  accompanied  by  William  Standley  before 
mentioned,  I  rode  to  Goose  Creek,  being  much 
through  the  woods,  and  about  one  hundred  miles. 
We  lodged  the  first  night  at  a  public-house  j  the 
second  in  the  woods  ;  and  the  next  day  we  reached 
a  Friend's  house  at  Goose  Creek.  In  the  woods  we 
were  under  some  disadvantage,  having  no  fire-works 
nor  bells  for  our  horses,  but  we  stopped  a  little 
before  night  and  let  them  feed  on  the  wild  grass, 
which  was  plentiful,  in  the  mean  time  cutting  with 
our  knives  a  store  against  night.  We  then  secured 
our  horses,  and  gathering  some  bushes  under  an 
oak  we  lay  down  ;  but  the  mosquitoes  being  numer- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      121 

cms  and  the  ground  damp  I  slept  but  little.  Thus 
lying  in  the  wilderness,  and  looking  at  the  stars,  I 
was  led  to  contemplate  on  the  condition  of  our  first 
parents  when  they  were  sent  forth  from  the  garden  ; 
how  the  Almighty,  though  they  had  been  disobedi- 
ent, continued  to  be  a  father  to  them,  and  showed 
them  what  tended  to  their  felicity  as  intelligent 
creatures,  and  was  acceptable  to  him.  To  provide 
things  relative  to  our  outward  living,  in  the  way  of 
true  wisdom,  is  good,  and  the  gift  of  improving  in 
things  useful  is  a  good  gift,  and  comes  from  the 
Father  of  Lights.  Many  have  had  this  gift ;  and 
from  age  to  age  there  have  been  improvements  of 
this  kind  made  in  the  world.  But  some,  not  keep- 
ing to  the  pure  gift,  have  in  the  creaturely  cunning 
and  self-exaltation  sought  out  many  inventions. 
As  the  first  motive  to  these  inventions  of  men,  as 
distinct  from  that  uprightness  in  which  man  was 
created,  was  evil,  so  the  effects  have  been  and  are 
evil.  It  is,  therefore,  as  necessary  for  us  at  this 
day  constantly  to  attend  on  the  heavenly  gift,  to 
be  qualified  to  use  rightly  the  good  things  in  this 
life  amidst  great  improvements,  as  it  was  for  our 
first  parents  when  they  were  without  any  improve- 
ments, without  any  friend  or  father  but  God  only. 

I  was  at  a  meeting  at  Goose  Creek,  and  next  at 
a  Monthly  Meeting  at  Fairfax,  where,  through  the 
gracious  dealing  of  the  Almighty  with  us,  his  power 
prevailed  over  many  hearts.  From  thence  I  went 
to  Monoquacy  and  Pipe  Creek  in  Maryland;  at 
both  places  I  had  cause  humbly  to  adore  Him  who 


122      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

had  supported  me  through  many  exercises,  and  by 
whose  help  I  was  enabled  to  reach  the  true  witness 
in  the  hearts  of  others.  There  were  some  hopeful 
young  people  in  those  parts.  I  had  meetings  after- 
wards at  John  Event's,  in  Monalen,  and  at  Hun- 
tingdon, and  I  was  made  humbly  thankful  to  the 
Lord,  who  opened  my  heart  amongst  the  people  in 
these  new  settlements,  so  that  it  was  a  time  of  en- 
couragement to  the  honest-minded. 

At  Monalen  a  Friend  gave  me  some  account  of 
a  religious  society  among  the  Dutch,  called  Men- 
nonists,  and  amongst  other  things  related  a  passage 
in  substance  as  follows  :  One  of  the  Mennonists 
having  acquaintance  with  a  man  of  another  society 
at  a  considerable  distance,  and  being  with  his 
wagon  on  business  near  the  house  of  his  said  ac- 
quaintance, and  night  coming  on,  he  had  thoughts 
of  putting  up  with  him,  but  passing  by  his  fields, 
and  observing  the  distressed  appearance  of  his 
slaves,  he  kindled  a  fire  in  the  woods  hard  by,  and 
lay  there  that  night.  His  said  acquaintance  hear- 
ing where  he  lodged,  and  afterward  meeting  the 
Mennonist,  told  him  of  it,  adding  he  should  have 
been  heartily  welcome  at  his  house,  and  from  their 
acquaintance  in  former  time  wondered  at  his  con- 
duct in  that  case.  The  Mennonist  replied,  "  Ever 
since  I  lodged  by  thy  field  I  have  wanted  an  oppor- 
tunity to  speak  with  thee.  I  had  intended  to  come 
to  thy  house  for  entertainment,  but  seeing  thy  slaves 
at  their  work,  and  observing  the  manner  of  their 
dress,  I  had  no  liking  to  come  to  partake  with 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      123 

thee."  He  then  admonished  him  to  use  them  with 
more  humanity,  and  added,  "  As  I  lay  by  the  fire 
that  night,  I  thought  that  as  I  was  a  man  of  sub- 
stance thou  wouldst  have  received  me  freely ;  but 
if  I  had  been  as  poor  as  one  of  thy  slaves,  and  had 
no  power  to  help  myself,  I  should  have  received 
from  thy  hand  no  kinder  usage  than  they." 

In  this  journey  I  was  out  about  two  months,  and 
travelled  about  eleven  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  I 
returned  home  under  an  humbling  sense  of  the  gra- 
cious dealings  of  the  Lord  with  me,  in  preserving 
me  through  many  trials  and  afflictions. 


124      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

CHAPTER  V. 

1757,  1758. 

Considerations  on  the  Payment  of  a  Tax  laid  for  Carrying  on 
the  War  against  the  Indians.  —  Meetings  of  the  Committee 
of  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia.  —  Some  Notes  on 
Thomas  a  Kempis  and  John  Huss.  —  The  present  Circum- 
stances of  Friends  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  very 
Different  from  those  of  our  Predecessors.  —  The  Drafting 
of  the  Militia  in  New  Jersey  to  serve  in  the  Army,  with  some 
Observations  on  the  State  of  the  Members  of  our  Society  at 
that  time.  —  Visit  to  Friends  in  Pennsylvania,  accompanied 
by  Benjamin  Jones.  —  Proceedings  at  the  Monthly,  Quar- 
terly, and  Yearly  Meetings  in  Philadelphia,  respecting  those 
who  keep  Slaves. 

A  FEW  years  past,  money  being  made  current 
in  our  province  for  carrying  on  wars,  and  to 
be  called  in  again  by  taxes  laid  on  the  inhabitants, 
my  mind  was  often  affected  with  the  thoughts  of 
paying  such  taxes ;  and  I  believe  it  right  for  me  to 
preserve  a  memorandum  concerning  it.  I  was  told 
that  Friends  in  England  frequently  paid  taxes,  when 
the  money  was  applied  to  such  purposes.  I  had 
conversation  with  several  noted  Friends  on  the  sub- 
ject, who  all  favored  the  payment  of  such  taxes ; 
some  of  them  I  preferred  before  myself,  and  this 
made  me  easier  for  a  time ;  yet  there  was  in  the 
depth  of  my  mind  a  scruple  which  I  never  could 
get  over;  and  at  certain  times  I  was  greatly  dis- 
tressed on  that  account. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      125 

I  believed  that  there  were  some  upright-hearted 
men  who  paid  such  taxes,  yet  could  not  see  that 
their  example  was  a  sufficient  reason  for  me  to  do 
so,  while  I  believe  that  the  spirit  of  truth  required 
of  me,  as  an  individual,  to  suffer  patiently  the  dis- 
tress of  goods,  rather  than  pay  actively. 

To  refuse  the  active  payment  of  a  tax  which  our 
Society  generally  paid  was  exceedingly  disagree- 
able ;  but  to  do  a  thing  contrary  to  my  conscience 
appeared  yet  more  dreadful.  When  this  exercise 
came  upon  me,  I  knew  of  none  under  the  like  diffi- 
culty ;  and  in  my  distress  I  besought  the  Lord  to 
enable  me  to  give  up  all,  that  so  I  might  follow 
him  wheresoever  he  was  pleased  to  lead  me.  Under 
this  exercise  I  went  to  our  Yearly  Meeting  at  Phila- 
delphia in  the  year  1755;  at  which  a  committee 
was  appointed  of  some  from  each  Quarterly  Meeting, 
to  correspond  with  the  meeting  for  sufferings  in  Lon- 
don ;  and  another  to  visit  our  Monthly  and  Quarterly 
Meetings.  After  their  appointment,  before  the  last 
adjournment  of  the  meeting,  it  was  agreed  that  these 
two  committees  should  meet  together  in  Friends' 
school-house  in  the  city,  to  consider  some  things  in 
which  the  cause  of  truth  was  concerned.  They  ac- 
cordingly had  a  weighty  conference  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  ;  at  which  time  I  perceived  there  were  many 
Friends  under  a  scruple  like  that  before  mentioned.* 

As  scrupling  to  pay  a  tax  on    account  of  the 

*  Christians  refused  to  pay  taxes  to  support  heathen  tem- 
ples.   See  Cave's  Primitive  Christianity,  Part  III.  p.  327. 


126      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

application  hath  seldom  been  heard  of  heretofore, 
even  amongst  men  of  integrity,  who  have  steadily 
borne  their  testimony  against  outward  wars  in  their 
time,  I  may  therefore  note  some  things  which 
have  occurred  to  my  mind,  as  I  have  been  in- 
wardly exercised  on  that  account.  From  the  steady 
opposition  which  faithful  Friends  in  early  times 
made  to  wrong  things  then  approved,  they  were 
hated  and  persecuted  by  men  living  in  the  spirit 
of  this  world,  and,  suffering  with  firmness,  they 
were  made  a  blessing  to  the  church,  and  the  work 
prospered.  It  equally  concerns  men  in  every  age 
to  take  heed  to  their  own  spirits ;  and  in  comparing 
their  situation  with  ours,  to  me  it  appears  that  there 
was  less  danger  of  their  being  infected  with  the 
spirit  of  this  world,  in  paying  such  taxes,  than  is 
the  case  with  us  now.  They  had  little  or  no  share 
in  civil  government,  and  many  of  them  declared 
that  they  were,  through  the  power  of  God,  sepa- 
rated from  the  spirit  in  which  wars  were,  and  being 
afflicted  by  the  rulers  on  account  of  their  testimony, 
there  was  less  likelihood  of  their  uniting  in  spirit 
with  them  in  things  inconsistent  with  the  purity  of 
truth.  We,  from  the  first  settlement  of  this  land, 
have  known  little  or  no  troubles  of  that  sort.  The 
profession  of  our  predecessors  was  for  a  time  ac- 
counted reproachful,  but  at  length  their  uprightness 
being  understood  by  the  rulers,  and  their  innocent 
sufferings  moving  them,  our  way  of  worship  was 
tolerated,  and  many  of  our  members  in  these  colo- 
nies became  active  in  civil  government.  Being 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      127 

thus  tried  with  favor  and  prosperity,  this  world 
appeared  inviting ;  our  minds  have  been  turned  to 
the  improvement  of  our  country,  to  merchandise 
and  the  sciences,  amongst  which  are  many  things 
useful,  if  followed  in  pure  wisdom ;  but  in  our  pres- 
ent condition  I  believe  it  will  not  be  denied  that 
a  carnal  mind  is  gaining  upon  us.  Some  of  our 
members,  who  are  officers  in  civil  government,  are, 
in  one  case  or  other,  called  upon  in  their  respective 
stations  to  assist  in  things  relative  to  the  wars ;  but 
being  in  doubt  whether  to  act  or  to  crave  to  be 
excused  from  their  office,  if  they  see  their  brethren 
united  in  the  payment  of  a  tax  to  carry  on  the  said 
wars,  may  think  their  case  not  much  different,  and 
so  might  quench  the  tender  movings  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  in  their  minds.  Thus,  by  small  degrees,  we 
might  approach  so  near  to  fighting  that  the  distinc- 
tion would  be  little  else  than  the  name  of  a  peace- 
able people. 

It  requires  great  self-denial  and  resignation  of 
ourselves  to  God,  to  attain  that  state  wherein  we 
can  freely  cease  from  fighting  when  wrongfully  in- 
vaded, if,  by  our  fighting,  there  were  a  probability 
of  overcoming  the  invaders.  Whoever  rightly  at- 
tains to  it  does  in  some  degree  feel  that  spirit  in 
which  our  Redeemer  gave  his  life  for  us ;  and 
through  Divine  goodness  many  of  our  predecessors, 
and  many  now  living,  have  learned  this  blessed 
lesson;  but  many  others,  having  their  religion 
chiefly  by  education,  and  not  being  enough  ac- 
quainted with  that  cross  which  crucifies  to  the 


128      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

world,  do  manifest  a  temper  distinguishable  from 
that  of  an  entire  trust  in  God.  In  calmly  con- 
sidering these  things,  it  hath  not  appeared  strange 
to  me  that  an  exercise  hath  now  fallen  upon  some, 
which,  with  respect  to  the  outward  means,  is  dif- 
ferent from  what  was  known  to  many  of  those  who 
went  before  us. 

Some  time  after  the  Yearly  Meeting,  the  said 
committees  met  at  Philadelphia,  and,  by  adjourn- 
ments, continued  sitting  several  days.  The  calam- 
ities of  war  were  now  increasing ;  the  frontier  in- 
habitants of  Pennsylvania  were  frequently  surprised ; 
some  were  slain,  and  many  taken  captive  by  the 
Indians ;  and  while  these  committees  sat,  the  corpse 
of  one  so  slain  was  brought  in  a  wagon,  and  taken 
through  the  streets  of  the  city  in  his  bloody  gar- 
ments, to  alarm  the  people  and  rouse  them  to  war. 

Friends  thus  met  were  not  all  of  one  mind  in 
relation  to  the  tax,  which,  to  those  who  scrupled  it, 
made  the  way  more  difficult.  To  refuse  an  active 
payment  at  such  a  time  might  be  construed  into 
an  act  of  disloyalty,  and  appeared  likely  to  dis- 
please the  rulers,  not  only  here  but  in  England; 
still  there  was  a  scruple  so  fixed  on  the  minds  of 
many  Friends  that  nothing  moved  it.  It  was  a 
conference  the  most  weighty  that  ever  I  was  at, 
and  the  hearts  of  many  were  bowed  in  reverence 
before  the  Most  High.  Some  Friends  of  the  said 
committees  who  appeared  easy  to  pay  the  tax,  after 
several  adjournments,  withdrew ;  others  of  them 
continued  till  the  last.  At  length  an  epistle  of 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      129 

tender  love  and  caution  to  Friends  in  Pennsylvania 
was  drawn  up,  and  being  read  several  times  and 
corrected,  was  signed  .by  such  as  were  free  to  sign 
it,  and  afterward  sent  to  the  Monthly  and  Quarterly 
Meetings. 

Ninth  of  eighth  month,  1757.  —  Orders  came  at 
night  to  the  military  officers  in  our  county  (Bur- 
lington), directing  them  to  draft  the  militia,  and 
prepare  a  number  of  men  to  go  off  as  soldiers,  to 
the  relief  of  the  English  at  Fort  William  Henry, 
in  New  York  government ;  a  few  days  after  which, 
there  was  a  general  review  of  the  militia  at  Mount 
Holly,  and  a  number  of  men  were  chosen  and  sent 
off  under  some  officers.  Shortly  after,  there  came 
orders  to  draft  three  times  as  many,  who  were 
to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  when 
fresh  orders  came.  On  the  i7th  there  was  a  meet- 
ing of  the  military  officers  at  Mount  Holly,  who 
agreed  on  draft ;  orders  were  sent  to  the  men  so 
chosen  to  meet  their  respective  captains  at  set 
times  and  places,  those  in  our  township  to  meet  at 
Mount  Holly,  amongst  whom  were  a  considerable 
number  of  our  Society.  My  mind  being  affected 
herewith,  I  had  fresh  opportunity  to  see  and  con- 
sider the  advantage  of  living  in  the  real  substance 
of  religion,  where  practice  doth  harmonize  with 
principle.  Amongst  the  officers  are  men  of  under- 
standing, who  have  some  regard  to  sincerity  where 
they  see  it;  and  when  such  in  the  execution  of 
their  office  have  men  to  deal  with  whom  they 
believe  to  be  upright-hearted,  it  is  a  painful  task  to 
6*  i 


130      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

put  them  to  trouble  on  account  of  scruples  of  con- 
science, and  they  will  be  likely  to  avoid  it  as  much 
as  easily  may  be.  But  where  men  profess  to  be  so 
meek  and  heavenly-minded,  and  to  have  their  trust 
so  firmly  settled  in  God  that  they  cannot  join  in 
wars,  and  yet  by  their  spirit  and  conduct  in  com- 
mon life  manifest  a  contrary  disposition,  their  diffi- 
culties are  great  at  such  a  time. 

When  officers  who  are  anxiously  endeavoring  to 
get  troops  to  answer  the  demands  of  their  superiors 
see  men  who  are  insincere  pretend  scruple  of  con- 
science in  hopes  of  being  excused  from  a  danger- 
ous employment,  it  is  likely  they  will  be  roughly 
handled.  In  this  time  of  commotion  some  of  our 
young  men  left  these  parts  and  tarried  abroad  till 
it  was  over;  some  came,  and  proposed  to  go  as 
soldiers  ;  others  appeared  to  have  a  real  tender 
scruple  in  their  minds  against  joining  in  wars,  and 
were  much  humbled  under  the  apprehension  of  a 
trial  so  near.  I  had  conversation  with  several  of 
them  to  my  satisfaction.  When  the  captain  came 
to  town,  some  of  the  last-mentioned  went  and  told 
him  in  substance  as  follows :  That  they  could  not 
bear  arms  for  conscience'  sake  ;  nor  could  they  hire 
any  to  go  in  their  places,  being  resigned  as  to  the 
event.  At  length  the  captain  acquainted  them  all 
that  they  might  return  home  for  the  present,  but  he 
required  them  to  provide  themselves  as  soldiers, 
and  be  in  readiness  to  march  when  called  upon. 
This  was  such  a  time  as  I  had  not  seen  before ; 
and  yet  I  may  say,  with  thankfulness  to  the  Lord, 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      131 

that  I  believed  the  trial  was  intended  for  our  good ; 
and  I  was  favored  with  resignation  to  him.  The 
French  army  having  taken  the  fort  they  were  be- 
sieging, destroyed  it  and  went  away ;  the  company 
of  men  who  were  first  drafted,  after  some  days' 
inarch,  had  orders  to  return  home,  and  those  on  the 
second  draft  were  no  more  called  upon  on  that 
occasion. 

Fourth  of  fourth  month,  1758.  —  Orders  came  to 
some  officers  in  Mount  Holly  to  prepare  quarters 
for  a  short  time  for  about  one  hundred  soldiers. 
An  officer  and  two  other  men,  all  inhabitants  of  our 
town,  came  to  my  house.  The  officer  told  me  that 
he  came  to  desire  me  to  provide  lodging  and  enter- 
tainment for  two  soldiers,  and  that  six  shillings  a 
week  per  man  would  be  allowed  as  pay  for  it.  The 
case  being  new  and  unexpected  I  made  no  answer 
suddenly,  but  sat  a  time  silent,  my  mind  being  in- 
ward. I  was  fully  convinced  that  the  proceedings 
in  wars  are  inconsistent  with  the  purity  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion;  and  to  be  hired  to  entertain  men, 
who  were  then  under  pay  as  soldiers,  was  a  diffi- 
culty with  me.  I  expected  they  had  legal  authority 
for  what  they  did  ;  and  after  a  short  time  I  said  to 
the  officer,  if  the  men  are  sent  here  for  entertain- 
ment I  believe  I  shall  not  refuse  to  admit  them 
into  my  house,  but  the  nature  of  the  case  is  such 
that  I  expect  I  cannot  keep  them  on  hire  ;  one  of 
the  men  intimated  that  he  thought  I  might  do  it 
consistently  with  my  religious  principles.  To  which 
I  made  no  reply,  believing  silence  at  that  time 


132      The  Journal  of  Jo  Jin  Woolman. 

best  for  me.  Though  they  spake  of  two,  there 
came  only  one,  who  tarried  at  my  house  about  two 
weeks,  and  behaved  himself  civilly.  When  the 
officer  came  to  pay  me,  I  told  him  I  could  not  take 
pay,  having  admitted  him  into  my  house  in  a  passive 
obedience  to  authority.  I  was  on  horseback  when 
he  spake  to  me,  and  as  I  turned  from  Jiim,  he  said 
he  was  obliged  to  me ;  to  which  I  said  nothing ; 
but,  thinking  on  the  expression,  I  grew  uneasy ;  and 
afterwards,  being  near  where  he  lived,  I  went  and 
told  him  on  what  grounds  I  refused  taking  pay  for 
keeping  the  soldier. 

I  have  been  informed  that  Thomas  k  Kempis 
lived  and  died  in  the  profession  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion ;  and,  in  reading  his  writings,  I 
have  believed  him  to  be  a  man  of  a  true  Christian 
spirit,  as  fully  so  as  many  who  died  martyrs  because 
they  could  not  join  with  some  superstitions  in  that 
church.  All  true  Christians  are  of  the  same  spirit, 
but  their  gifts  are  diverse,  Jesus  Christ  appointing 
to  each  one  his  peculiar  office,  agreeably  to  his  in- 
finite wisdom. 

John  Huss  contended  against  the  errors  which 
had  crept  into  the  church,  in  opposition  to  the 
Council  of  Constance,  which  the  historian  reports 
to  have  consisted  of  some  thousand  persons.  He 
modestly  vindicated  the  cause  which  he  believed 
was  right ;  and  though  his  language  and  conduct 
towards  his  judges  appear  to  have  been  respectful, 
yet  he  never  could  be  moved  from  the  principles 
settled  in  his  mind.  To  use  his  own  words  :  "  This 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       133 

I  most  humbly  require  and  desire  of  you  all,  even 
for  his  sake  who  is  the  God  of  us  all,  that  I  be  not 
compelled  to  the  thing  which  my  conscience  doth 
repugn  or  strive  against."  And  again,  in  his  answer 
to  the  Emperor  :  "  I  refuse  nothing,  most  noble 
Emperor,  whatsoever  the  council  shall  decree  or  de- 
termine upon  me,  only  this  one  thing  I  except,  that 
I  do  not  offend  God  and  my  conscience."*  At 
length,  rather  than  act  contrary  to  that  which  he  be- 
lieved the  Lord  required  of  him,  he  chose  to  suffer 
death  by  fire.  Thomas  a  Kempis,  without  disputing 
against  the  articles  then  generally  agreed  to,  appears 
to  have  labored,  by  a  pious  example  as  well  as  by 
preaching  and  writing,  to  promote  virtue  and  the 
inward  spiritual  religion ;  and  I  believe  they  were 
both  sincere-hearted  followers  of  Christ.  True 
charity  is  an  excellent  virtue  ;  and  sincerely  to  labor 
for  their  good,  whose  belief  in  all  points  doth  not 
agree  with  ours,  is  a  happy  state. 

Near  the  beginning  of  the  year  1758,  I  went  one 
evening,  in  company  with  a  friend,  to  visit  a  sick 
person  ;  and  before  our  return  we  were  told  of  a 
woman  living  near,  who  had  for  several  days  been 
disconsolate,  occasioned  by  a  dream,  wherein  death, 
and  the  judgments  of  the  Almighty  after  death,  were 
represented  to  her  mind  in  a  moving  manner.  Her 
sadness  on  that  account  being  worn  off,  the  friend 
with  whom  I  was  in  company  went  to  see  her,  and 
had  some  religious  conversation  with  her  and  her 
husband.  With  this  visit  they  were  somewhat  af- 

*  Fox's  Acts  and  Monuments,  p.  233. 


134      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

fected,  and  the  man,  with  many  tears,  expressed  his 
satisfaction.  In  a  short  time  after  the  poor  man, 
being  on  the  river  in  a  storm  of  wind,  was  with  one 
more  drowned. 

Eighth  month,  1758. — Having  had  drawings  in 
my  mind  to  be  at  the  Quarterly  Meeting  in  Chester 
County,  and  at  some  meetings  in  the  county  of 
Philadelphia,  I  went  first  to  said  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, which  was  large.  Several  weighty  matters 
came  under  consideration  and  debate,  and  the  Lord 
was  pleased  to  qualify  some  of  his  servants  with 
strength  and  firmness  to  bear  the  burden  of  the 
day.  Though  I  said  but  little,  my  mind  was  deeply 
exercised ;  and,  under  a  sense  of  God's  love,  in  the 
anointing  and  fitting  of  some  young  men  for  his 
work,  I  was  comforted,  and  my  heart  was  tendered 
before  him.  From  hence  I  went  to  the  Youth's 
Meeting  at  Darby,  where  my  beloved  friend  and 
brother  Benjamin  Jones  met  me  by  an  appointment 
before  I  left  home,  to  join  in  the  visit.  We  were 
at  Radnor,  Merion,  Richland,  North  Wales,  Ply- 
mouth, and  Abington  meetings,  and  had  cause  to 
bow  in  reverence  before  the  Lord,  our  gracious 
God,  by  whose  help  way  was  opened  for  us  from 
day  to  day.  I  was  out  about  two  weeks,  and  rode 
about  two  hundred  miles. 

The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia  having 
been  under  a  concern  on  account  of  some  Friends 
who  this  summer  (1758)  had  bought  negro  slaves, 
proposed  to  their  Quarterly  Meeting  to  have  the 
minute  reconsidered  in  the  Yearly  Meeting,  which 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      135 

was  made  last  on  that  subject,  and  the  said  Quar- 
terly Meeting  appointed  a  committee  to  consider  it, 
and  to  report  to  their  next.  This  committee  having 
met  once  and  adjourned,  and  I,  going  to  Philadel- 
phia to  meet  a  committee  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
was  in  town  the  evening  on  which  the  Quarterly 
Meeting's  committee  met  the  second  time,  and 
finding  an  inclination  to  sit  with  them,  I,  with 
some  others,  was  admitted,  and  Friends  had  a 
weighty  conference  on  the  subject.  Soon  after 
their  next  Quarterly  Meeting  I  heard  that  the  case 
was  coming  to  our  Yearly  Meeting.  This  brought 
a  weighty  exercise  upon  me,  and  under  a  sense  of 
my  own  infirmities,  and  the  great  danger  I  felt  of 
turning  aside  from  perfect  purity,  my  mind  was 
often  drawn  to  retire  alone,  and  put  up  my  prayers 
to  the  Lord  that  he  would  be  graciously  pleased  to 
strengthen  me  ;  that  setting  aside  all  views  of  self- 
interest  and  the  friendship  of  this  world,  I  might 
stand  fully  resigned  to  his  holy  will. 

In  this  Yearly  Meeting  several  weighty  matters 
were  considered,  and  toward  the  last  that  in  rela- 
tion to  dealing  with  persons  who  purchase  slaves. 
During  the  several  sittings  of  the  said  meeting,  my 
mind  was  frequently  covered  with  inward  prayer, 
and  I  could  say  with  David,  "  that  tears  were  my 
meat  day  and  night."  The  case  of  slave-keeping 
lay  heavy  upon  me,  nor  did  I  find  any  engagement 
to  speak  directly  to  any  other  matter  before  the 
meeting.  Now  when  this  case  was  opened  several 
faithful  Friends  spake  weightily  thereto,  with  which 


136      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

I  was  comforted  ;  and  feeling  a  concern  to  cast  in 
my  mite,  I  said  in  substance  as  follows  :  — 

"  In  the  difficulties  attending  us  in  this  life  noth- 
ing is  more  precious  than  the  mind  of  truth  inwardly 
manifested ;  and  it  is  my  earnest  desire  that  in  this 
weighty  matter  we  may  be  so  truly  humbled  as  to 
be  favored  with  a  clear  understanding  of  the  mind 
of  truth,  and  follow  it ;  this  would  be  of  more  ad- 
vantage to  the  Society  than  any  medium  not  in  the 
clearness  of  Divine  wisdom.  The  case  is  difficult  to 
some  who  have  slaves,  but  if  such  set  aside  all  self- 
interest,  and  come  to  be  weaned  from  the  desire  of 
getting  estates,  or  even  from  holding  them  together, 
when  truth  requires  the  contrary,  I  believe  way  will 
so  open  that  they  will  know  how  to  steer  through 
those  difficulties." 

Many  Friends  appeared  to  be  deeply  bowed 
under  the  weight  of  the  work,  and  manifested  much 
firmness  in  their  love  to  the  cause  of  truth  and  uni- 
versal righteousness  on  the  earth.  And  though 
none  did  openly  justify  the  practice  of  slave-keep- 
ing in  general,  yet  some  appeared  concerned  lest 
the  meeting  should  go  into  such  measures  as  might 
give  uneasiness  to  many  brethren,  alleging  that  if 
Friends  patiently  continued  under  the  exercise  the 
Lord  in  his  time  might  open  a  way  for  the  deliver- 
ance of  these  people.  Finding  an  engagement  to 
speak,  I  said,  "  My  mind  is  often  led  to  consider 
the  purity  of  the  Divine  Being,  and  the  justice  of 
his  judgments  ;  and  herein  my  soul  is  covered 
with  awfulness.  I  cannot  omit  to  hint  of  some 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      137 

cases  where  people  have  not  been  treated  with  the 
purity  of  justice,  and  the  event  hath  been  lament- 
able. Many  slaves  on  this  continent  are  oppressed, 
and  their  cries  have  reached  the  ears  of  the  Most 
High.  Such  are  the  purity  and  certainty  of  his 
judgments,  that  he  cannot  be  partial  in  our  favor. 
In  infinite  love  and  goodness  he  hath  opened  our 
understanding  from  one  time  to  another  concern- 
ing our  duty  towards  this  people,  and  it  is  not  a 
time  for  delay.  Shduld  we  now  be  sensible  of  what 
he  requires  of  us,  and  through  a  respect  to  the 
private  interest  of  some  persons,  or  through  a  re- 
gard to  some  friendships  which  do  not  stand  on  an 
immutable  foundation,  neglect  to  do  our  duty  in 
firmness  and  constancy,  still  waiting  for  some  ex- 
traordinary means  to  bring  about  their  deliverance, 
God  may  by  terrible  things  in  righteousness  answer 
us  in  this  matter." 

Many  faithful  brethren  labored  with  great  firm- 
ness, and  the  love  of  truth  in  a  good  degree  pre- 
vailed. Several  who  had  negroes  expressed  their 
desire  that  a  rule  might  be  made  to  deal  with  such 
Friends  as  offenders  who  bought  slaves  in  future. 
To  this  it  was  answered  that  the  root  of  this  evil 
would  never  be  effectually  struck  at  until  a  thorough 
search  was  made  in  the  circumstances  of  such 
Friends  as  kept  negroes,  with  respect  to  the  right- 
eousness of  their  motives  in  keeping  them,  that  im- 
partial justice  might  be  administered  throughout. 
Several  Friends  expressed  their  desire  that  a  visit 
might  be  made  to  such  Friends  as  kept  slaves,  and 


138       The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

many  others  said  that  they  believed  liberty  was  the 
negro's  right ;  to  which,  at  length,  no  opposition 
was  publicly  made.  A  minute  was  made  more  full 
on  that  subject  than  any  heretofore  ;  and  the  names 
of  several  Friends  entered  who  were  free  to  join  in 
a  visit  to  such  as  kept  slaves. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      139 


CHAPTER   VI. 

1758,  1759- 

Visit  to  the  Quarterly  Meetings  in  Chester  County.  —  Joins 
Daniel  Stanton  and  John  Scarborough  in  a  Visit  to  such  as 
kept  Slaves  there.  —  Some  Observations  on  the  Conduct 
which  those  should  maintain  who  speak  in  Meetings  for 
Discipline.  —  More  Visits  to  such  as  kept  Slaves,  and  to 
Friends  near  Salem.  —  Account  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  in 
the  Year  1759,  and  of  the  increasing  Concern  in  Divers 
Provinces  to  Labor  against  Buying  and  Keeping  Slaves. 
—  The  Yearly  Meeting  Epistle.  —  Thoughts  on  the  Small- 
Pox  spreading,  and  on  Inoculation. 

ELEVENTH  of  eleventh  month,  1758.  — This 
day  I  set  out  for  Concord ;  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  heretofore  held  there  was  now,  by  reason 
of  a  great  increase  of  members,  divided  into  two  by 
the  agreement  of  Friends  at  our  last  Yearly  Meet- 
ing. Here  I  met  with  our  beloved  friends  Samuel 
Spavold  and  Mary  Kirby  from  England,  and  with 
Joseph  White  from  Buck's  County  ;  the  latter  had 
taken  leave  of  his  family  in  order  to  go  on  a  re- 
ligious visit  to  Friends  in  England,  and,  through 
Divine  goodness,  we  were  favored  with  a  strength- 
ening opportunity  together. 

After  this  meeting  I  joined  with  my  friends, 
Daniel  Stanton  and  John  Scarborough,  in  visiting 
Friends  who  had  slaves.  At  night  we  had  a  family 
meeting  at  William  Trimble's,  many  young  people 


140      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

being  there;  and  it  was  a  precious,  reviving  oppor- 
tunity. Next  morning  we  had  a  comfortable  sitting 
with  a  sick  neighbor,  and  thence  to  the  burial  of 
the  corpse  of  a  Friend  at  Uwchland  Meeting,  at 
which  were  many  people,  and  it  was  a  time  of  Di- 
vine favor,  after  which  we  visited  some  who  had 
slaves.  In  the  evening  we  had  a  family  meeting  at 
a  Friend's  house,  where  the  channel  of  the  gospel 
love  was  opened,  and  my  mind  was  comforted  after 
a  hard  day's  labor.  The  next  day  we  were  at 
Goshen  Monthly  Meeting,  and  on  the  i8th  at- 
tended the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  London  Grove,  it 
being  first  held  at  that  place.  Here  we  met  again 
with  all  the  before-mentioned  Friends,  and  had 
some  edifying  meetings.  Near  the  conclusion  of 
the  meeting  for  business,  Friends  were  incited  to 
constancy  in  supporting  the  testimony  of  truth,  and 
reminded  of  the  necessity  which  the  disciples  of 
Christ  are  under  to  attend  principally  to  his  busi- 
ness as  he  is  pleased  to  open  it  to  us,  and  to  be 
particularly  careful  to  have  our  minds  redeemed 
from  the  love  of  wealth,  and  our  outward  affairs  in 
as  little  room  as  may  be,  that  no  temporal  concerns 
may  entangle  our  affections  or  hinder  us  from  dili- 
gently following  the  dictates  of  truth  in  laboring  to 
promote  the  pure  spirit  of  meekness  and  heavenly- 
mindedness  amongst  the  children  of  men  in  these 
days  of  calamity  and  distress,  wherein  God  is  visit- 
ing our  land  wi.th  his  just  judgments. 

Each  of  these  Quarterly  Meetings  was  large  and 
sat  near  eight  hours.     I  had  occasion  to  consider 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       141 

that  it  is  a  weighty  thing  to  speak  much  in  large 
meetings  for  business,  for  except  our  minds  are 
rightly  prepared,  and  we  clearly  understand  the 
case  we  speak  to,  instead  of  forwarding,  we  hinder 
business,  and  make  more  labor  for  those  on  whom 
the  burden  of  the  work  is  laid.  If  selfish  views  or 
a  partial  spirit  have  any  room  in  our  minds,  we  are 
unfit  for  the  Lord's  work ;  if  we  have  a  clear  pros- 
pect of  the  business,  and  proper  weight  on  our 
minds  to  speak,  we  should  avoid  useless  apologies 
and  repetitions.  Where  people  are  gathered  from 
far,  and  adjourning  a  meeting  of  business  is  at- 
tended with  great  difficulty,  it  behoves  all  to  be 
cautious  how  they  detain  a  meeting,  especially  when 
they  have  sat  six  or  seven  hours,  and  have  a  great  dis- 
tance to  ride  home.  After  this  meeting  I  rode  home. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  twelfth  month  I  joined,  in 
company  with  my  friends  John  Sykes  and  Daniel 
Stanton,  in  visiting  such  as  had  slaves.  Some 
whose  hearts  were  rightly  exercised  about  them 
appeared  to  be  glad  of  our  visit,  but  in  some  places 
our  way  was  more  difficult.  I  often  saw  the  neces- 
sity of  keeping  down  to  that  root  from  whence  our 
concern  proceeded,  and  have  cause,  in  reverent 
thankfulness,  humbly  to  bow  down  before  the 
Lord,  who  was  near  to  me,  and  preserved  my 
mind  in  calmness  under  some  sharp  conflicts, 
and  begat  a  spirit  of  sympathy  and  tenderness  in 
me  towards  some  who  were  grievously  entangled 
by  the  spirit  of  this  world. 

First  month,   1759.  —  Having  found   my  mind 


142       The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

drawn  to  visit  some  of  the  more  active  members 
in  our  Society  at  Philadelphia,  who  had  slaves,  I 
met  my  friend  John  Churchman  there  by  agree- 
ment, and  we  continued  about  a  week  in  the  city. 
We  visited  some  that  were  sick,  and  some  widows 
and  their  families,  and  the  other  part  of  our  time 
was  mostly  employed  in  visiting  such  as  had  slaves. 
It  was  a  time  of  deep  exercise,  but  looking  often  to 
the  Lord  for  his  assistance,  he  in  unspeakable  kind- 
ness favored  us  with  the  influence  of  that  spirit 
which  crucifies  to  the  greatness  and  splendor  of 
this  world,  and  enabling  us  to  go  through  some 
heavy  labors,  in  which  we  found  peace. 

Twenty-fourth  of  third  month,  1759.  —  After  at- 
tending our  general  Spring  Meeting  at  Philadelphia 
I  again  joined  with  John  Churchman  on  a  visit  to 
some  who  had  slaves  in  Philadelphia,  and  with 
thankfulness  to  our  Heavenly  Father  I  may  say 
that  Divine  love  and  a  true  sympathizing  tender- 
ness of  heart  prevailed  at  times  in  this  service. 

Having  at  times  perceived  a  shyness  in  some 
Friends  of  considerable  note  towards  me,  I  found 
an  engagement  in  gospel  love  to  pay  a  visit  to  one 
of  them ;  and  as  I  dwelt  under  the  exercise  I  felt 
a  resignedness  in  my  mind  to  go  and  tell  him 
privately  that  I  had  a  desire  to  have  an  oppor- 
tunity with  him  alone ;  to  this  proposal  he  readily 
agreed,  and  then,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  things 
relating  to  that  shyness  were  searched  to  the  bot- 
tom, and  we  had  a  large  conference,  which,  I  be- 
lieve was  of  use  to  both  of  us,  and  I  am  thankful 
that  way  was  opened  for  it. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       143 

Fourteenth  of  sixth  month.  — Having  felt  drawings 
in  my  mind  to  visit  Friends  about  Salem,  and  hav- 
ing the  approbation  of  our  Monthly  Meeting,  I  at- 
tended their  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  was  out  seven 
days,  and  attended  seven  meetings ;  in  some  of 
them  I  was  chiefly  silent;  in  others,  through  the 
baptizing  power  of  truth,  my  heart  was  enlarged  in 
heavenly  love,  and  I  found  a  near  fellowship  with 
the  brethren  and  sisters,  in  the  manifold  trials  at- 
tending their  Christian  progress  through  this  world. 

Seventh  month.  —  I  have  found  an  increasing  con- 
cern on  my  mind  to  visit  some  active  members  in 
our  Society  who  have  slaves,  and  having  no  oppor- 
tunity of  the  company  of  such  as  were  named  in 
the  minutes  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  I  went  alone 
to  their  houses,  and,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  ac- 
quainted them  with  the  exercise  I  was  under ;  and 
thus,  sometimes  by  a  few  words,  I  found  myself 
discharged  from  a  heavy  burden.  After  this,  our 
friend  John  Churchman  coming  into  our  province 
with  a  view  to  be  at  some  meetings,  and  to  join 
again  in  the  visit  to  those  who  had  slaves,  I  bore  him 
company  in  the  said  visit  to  some  active  members, 
and  found  inward  satisfaction. 

At  our  Yearly  Meeting  this  year,  we  had  some 
weighty  seasons,  in  which  the  power  of  truth  was 
largely  extended,  to  the  strengthening  of  the  honest- 
minded.  As  the  epistles  which  were  to  be  sent  to 
the  Yearly  Meetings  on  this  continent  were  read,  I 
observed  that  in  most  of  them,  both  this  year  and 
the  last,  it  was  recommended  to  Friends  to  labor 


144      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

against  buying  and  keeping  slaves,  and  in  some  of 
them  the  subject  was  closely  treated  upon.  As 
this  practice  hath  long  been  a  heavy  exercise  to 
me,  and  I  have  often  waded  through  mortifying 
labors  on  that  account,  and  at  times  in  some  meet- 
ings have  been  almost  alone  therein,  I  was  humbly 
bowed  in  thankfulness  in  observing  the  increasing 
concern  in  our  religious  society,  and  seeing  how  the 
Lord  was  raising  up  and  qualifying  servants  for  his 
work,  not  only  in  this  respect,  but  for  promoting 
the  cause  of  truth  in  general. 

This  meeting  continued  near  a  week.  For  sev- 
eral days,  in  the  fore  part  of  it,  my  mind  was  drawn 
into  a  deep  inward  stillness,  and  being  at  times 
covered  with  the  spirit  of  supplication,  my  heart 
was  secretly  poured  out  before  the  Lord.  Near  the 
conclusion  of  the  meeting  for  business,  way  opened 
in  the  pure  flowings  of  Divine  love  for  me  to  ex- 
press what  lay  upon  me,  which,  as  it  then  arose  in 
my  mind,  was  first  to  show  how  deep  answers  to 
deep  in  the  hearts  of  the  sincere  and  upright ; 
though,  in  their  different  growths,  they  may  not  all 
have  attained  to  the  same  clearness  in  some  points 
relating  to  our  testimony.  And  I  was  then  led  to 
mention  the  integrity  and  constancy  of  many 
martyrs  who  gave  their  lives  for  the  testimony  of 
Jesus,  and  yet,  in  some  points,  they  held  doctrines 
distinguishable  from  some  which  we  hold,  that,  in 
all  ages,  where  people  were  faithful  to  the  light  and 
understanding  which  the  Most  High  afforded  them, 
they  found  acceptance  with  Him,  and  though  there 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      145 

may  be  different  ways  of  thinking  amongst  us  in. 
some  particulars,  yet,  if  we  mutually  keep  to  that 
spirit  and  power  which  crucifies  to  the  world, 
which  teaches  us  to  be  content  with  things  really 
needful,  and  to  avoid  all  superfluities,  and  give  up 
our  hearts  to  fear  and  serve  the  Lord,  true  unity 
may  still  be  preserved  amongst  us ;  that  if  those 
who  were  at  times  under  sufferings  on  account  of 
some  scruples  of  conscience  kept  low  and  humble, 
and  in  their  conduct  in  life  manifested  a  spirit  of 
true  charity,  it  would  be  more  likely  to  reach  the 
witness  in  others,  and  be  of  more  service  in  the 
church,  than  if  their  sufferings  were  attended  with 
a  contrary  spirit  and  conduct.  In  this  exercise  I 
was  drawn  into  a  sympathizing  tenderness  with  the 
sheep  of  Christ,  however  distinguished  one  from 
another  in  this  world,  and  the  like  disposition 
appeared  to  spread  over  others  in  the  meeting. 
Great  is  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  towards  his  poor 
creatures. 

An  epistle  went  forth  from  this  Yearly  Meeting 
which  I  think  good  to  give  a  place  in  this  Journal. 
It  is  as  follows. 

From  the  Yearly  Meeting  held  at  Philadelphia,  for  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  Jersey,  from  the  twenty-second  day  of  the 
ninth  month  to  the  twenty-eighth  of  the  same,  inclusive,  1759. 

To  THE  QUARTERLY  AND  MONTHLY  MEETINGS  OF 
FRIENDS  BELONGING  TO  THE  SAID  YEARLY  MEETING. 

DEARLY  BELOVED  FRIENDS  AND  BRETHREN,  —  In 
an  awful  sense  of  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  the 
7  J 


146      The  Journal  of  Jo  Jin  Woolman. 

Lord  our  God,  whose  tender  mercies  have  been 
continued  to  us  in  this  land,  we  affectionately  salute 
you,  with  sincere  and  fervent  desires  that  we  may 
reverently  regard  the  dispensations  of  his  provi- 
dence, and  improve  under  them. 

The  empires  and  kingdoms  of  the  earth  are  sub- 
ject to  his  almighty  power.  He  is  the  God  of 
the  spirits  of  all  flesh,  and  deals  with  his  people 
agreeable  to  that  wisdom,  the  depth  whereof  is  to 
us  unsearchable.  We  in  these  provinces  may  say, 
He  hath,  as  a  gracious  and  tender  parent,  dealt 
bountifully  with  us,  even  from  the  days  of  our 
fathers.  It  was  he  who  strengthened  them  to  labor 
through  the 'difficulties  attending  the  improvement 
of  a  wilderness,  and  made  way  for  them  in  the 
hearts  of  the  natives,  so  that  by  them  they  were 
comforted  in  times  of  want  and  distress.  It  was  by 
the  gracious  influences  of  his  Holy  Spirit  that  they 
were  disposed  to  work  righteousness,  and  walk  up- 
rightly towards  each  other,  and  towards  the  natives  ; 
in  life  and  conversation  to  manifest  the  excellency 
of  the  principles  and  doctrines  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion whereby  they  retain  their  esteem  and  friend- 
ship. Whilst  they  were  laboring  for  the  neces- 
saries of  life,  many  of  them  were  fervently  engaged 
to  promote  piety  and  virtue  in  the  earth,  and  to 
educate  their  children  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

If  we  carefully  consider  the  peaceable  measures 
pursued  in  the  first  settlement  of  the  land,  and  that 
freedom  from  the  desolations  of  wars  which  for  a 
long  time  we  enjoyed,  we  shall  find  ourselves  under 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      147 

strong  obligations  to  the  Almighty,  who,  when  the 
earth  is  so  generally  polluted  with  wickedness,  gives 
us  a  being  in  a  part  so  signally  favored  with  tran- 
quillity and  plenty,  and  in  which  the  glad  tidings  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ  are  so  freely  published  that  we 
may  justly  say  with  the  Psalmist,  "  What  shall  we 
render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits  ? " 

Our  own  real  good,  and  the  good  of  our  pos- 
terity, in  some  measure  depends  on  the  part  we 
act,  and  it  nearly  concerns  us  to  try  our  founda- 
tions impartially.  Such  are  the  different  rewards  of 
the  just  and  unjust  in  a  future  state,  that  to  attend 
diligently  to  the  dictates  of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  to 
devote  ourselves  to  his  service,  and  to  engage  fer- 
vently in  his  cause,  during  our  short  stay  in  this 
world,  is  a  choice  well  becoming  a  free,  intelligent 
creature.  We  shall  thus  clearly  see  and  consider 
that  the  dealings  of  God  with  mankind,  in  a 
national  capacity,  as  recorded  in  Holy  Writ,  do  suf- 
ficiently evidence  the  truth  of  that  saying,  "  It  is 
righteousness  which  exalteth  a  nation  "  ;  and  though 
he  doth  not  at  all  times  suddenly  execute  his  judg- 
ments on  a  sinful  people  in  this  life,  yet  we  see  in 
many  instances  that  when  "  men  follow  lying  vani- 
ties they  forsake  'their  own  mercies "  ;  and  as  a 
proud,  selfish  spirit  prevails  and  spreads  among  a 
people,  so  partial  judgment,  oppression,  discord, 
envy,  and  confusions  increase,  and  provinces  and 
kingdoms  are  made  to  drink  the  cup  of  adversity 
as  a  reward  of  their  own  doings.  Thus  the  inspired 
prophet,  reasoning  with  the  degenerated  Jews, 


148      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

saith,  "Thine  own  wickedness  shall  correct  thee, 
and  thy  backsliding  shall  reprove  thee ;  know, 
therefore,  that  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter  that 
thou  hast  forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  that  my 
fear  is  not  in  thee,  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Hosts." 
(Jeremiah  ii.  19.) 

The  God  of  our  fathers,  who  hath  bestowed  on 
us  many  benefits,  furnished  a  table  for  us  in  the 
wilderness,  and  made  the  deserts  and  solitary  places 
to  rejoice.  He  doth  now  mercifully  call  upon  us  to 
serve  him  more  faithfully.  We  may  truly  say  with 
the  Prophet,  "  It  is  his  voice  which  crieth  to  the 
city,  and  men  of  wisdom  see  his  name.  They  re- 
gard the  rod,  and  Him  who  hath  appointed  it." 
People  who  look  chiefly  at  things  outward  too 
little  consider  the  original  cause  of  the  present 
troubles ;  but  they  who  fear  the  Lord,  and  think 
often  upon  his  name,  see  and  feel  that  a  wrong 
spirit  is  spreading  amongst  the  inhabitants  of  our 
country;  that  the  hearts  of  many  are  waxed  fat, 
and  their  ears  dull  of  hearing  ;  that  the  Most  High, 
in  his  visitations  to  us,  instead  of  calling,  lifteth  up 
his  voice  and  crieth  :  he  crieth  to  our  country,  and 
his  voice  waxeth  louder  and  louder.  In  former 
wars  between  the  English  and  other  nations,  since 
the  settlement  of  our  provinces,  the  calamities  at- 
tending them  have  fallen  chiefly  on  other  places, 
but  now  of  late  they  have  reached  to  our  borders ; 
many  of  our  fellow-subjects  have  suffered  on  and 
near  our  frontiers,  some  have  been  slain  in  battle, 
some  killed  in  their  houses,  and  some  in  their 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      149 

fields,  some  wounded  and  left  in  great  misery,  and 
others  separated  from  their  wives  and  little  chil- 
dren, who  have  been  carried  captives  among  the 
Indians.  We  have  seen  men  and  women  who  have 
been  witnesses  of  these  scenes  of  sorrow,  and,  being 
reduced  to  want,  have  come  to  our  houses  asking 
relief.  It  is  not  long  since  many  young  men  in  one 
of  these  provinces  were  drafted,  in  order  to  be 
taken  as  soldiers ;  some  were  at  that  time  in  great 
distress,  and  had  occasion  to  consider  that  their 
lives  had  been  too  little  conformable  to  the  purity 
and  spirituality  of  that  religion  which  we  profess, 
and  found  themselves  too  little  acquainted  with 
that  inward  humility,  in  which  true  fortitude  to 
endure  hardness  for  the  truth's  sake  is  experienced. 
Many  parents  were  concerned  for  their  children,  and 
in  that  time  of  trial  were  led  to  consider  that  their 
care  to  get  outward  treasure  for  them  had  been 
greater  than  their  care  for  their  settlement  in  that 
religion  which  crucifieth  to  the  world,  and  enableth 
to  bear  a  clear  testimony  to  the  peaceable  govern- 
ment of  the  Messiah.  These  troubles  are  removed, 
and  for  a  time  we  are  released  from  them. 

Let  us  not  forget  that  "The  Most  High  hath 
his  way  in  the  deep,  in  clouds,  and  in  thick  dark- 
ness " ;  that  it  is  his  voice  which  crieth  to  the  city 
and  to  the  country,  and  O  that  these  loud  and 
awakening  cries  may  have  a  proper  effect  upon  us, 
that  heavier  chastisement  may  not  become  neces- 
sary !  For  though  things,  as  to  the  outward,  may 
for  a  short  time  afford  a  pleasing  prospect,  yet, 


150      The  Joimial  of  John  Woolman. 

while  a  selfish  spirit,  that  is  not  subject  to  the  cross 
of  Christ,  continueth  to  spread  and  prevail,  there 
can  be  no  long  continuance  in  outward  peace  and 
tranquillity.  If  we  desire  an  inheritance  incorrup- 
tible, and  to  be  at  rest  in  that  state  of  peace  and 
happiness  which  ever  continues ;  if  we  desire  in 
this  life  to  dwell  under  the  favor  and  protection  of 
that  Almighty  Being  whose  habitation  is  in  holi- 
ness, whose  ways  are  all  equal,  and  whose  anger 
is  now  kindled  because  of  our  backslidings,  —  let  us 
then  awfully  regard  these  beginnings  of  his  sore 
judgments,  and  with  abasement  and  humiliation 
turn  to  him  whom  we  have  offended. 

Contending  with  one  equal  in  strength  is  an 
uneasy  exercise;  but  if  the  Lord  is  become  our 
enemy,  if  we  persist  in  contending  with  him  who 
is  omnipotent,  our  overthrow  will  be  unavoidable. 

Do  we  feel  an  affectionate  regard  to  posterity  ? 
and  are  we  employed  to  promote  their  happiness  ? 
Do  our  minds,  in  things  outward,  look  beyond  our 
own  dissolution?  and  are  we  contriving  for  the 
prosperity  of  our  children  after  us?  Let  us  then, 
like  wise  builders,  lay  the  foundation  deep,  and  by 
our  constant  uniform  regard  to  an  inward  piety  and 
virtue  let  them  see  that  we  really  value  it.  Let  us 
labor  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  their  innocent 
minds,  while  young  and  tender,  may  be  preserved 
from  corruptions ;  that  as  they  advance  in  age  they 
may  rightly  understand  their  true  interest,  may  con- 
sider the  uncertainty  of  temporal  things,  and,  above 
all,  have  their  hope  and  confidence  firmly  settled  in 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      151 

the  blessing  of  that  Almighty  Being  who  inhabits 
eternity  and  preserves  and  supports  the  world. 

In  all  our  cares  about  worldly  treasures,  let  us 
steadily  bear  in  mind  that  riches  possessed  by  chil- 
dren who  do  not  truly  serve  God  are  likely  to 
prove  snares  that  may  more  grievously  entangle 
them  in  that  spirit  of  selfishness  and  exaltation 
which  stands  in  opposition  to  real  peace  and  hap- 
piness, and  renders  those  who  submit  to  the  in- 
fluence of  it  enemies  to  the  cross  of  Christ. 

To  keep  a  watchful  eye  towards  real  objects  of 
charity,  to  visit  the  poor  in  their  lonesome  dwelling- 
places,  to  comfort  those  who,  through  the  dispensa- 
tions of  Divine  Providence,  are  in  strait  and  painful 
circumstances  in  this  life,  and  steadily  to  endeavor 
to  honor  God  with  our  substance,  from  a  real  sense 
of  the  love  of  Christ  influencing  our  minds,  is  more 
likely  to  bring  a  blessing  to  our  children,  and  will 
afford  more  satisfaction  to  a  Christian  favored  with 
plenty,  than  an  earnest  desire  to  collect  much  wealth 
to  leave  behind  us ;  for,  "  here  we  have  no  continu- 
ing city  "  ;  may  we  therefore  diligently  "  seek  one 
that  is  to  come,  whose  builder  and  maker  is  God." 

"  Finally,  brethren,  whatsoever  things  are  true, 
whatsoever  things  are  just,  whatsoever  things  are 
pure,  whatsoever  things  are  lovely,  whatsoever  things 
are  of  good  report,  if  there  be  any  virtue,  if  there 
be  any  praise,  think  on  these  things,  and  do  them, 
and  the  God  of  peace  shall  be  with  you." 

(Signed  by  appointment,  and  on  behalf  of  said 
meeting.) 


152      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

Twenty-eighth  eleventh  month.  —  This  day  I  at- 
tended the  Quarterly  Meeting  in  Bucks  County. 
In  the  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  my  heart 
was  enlarged  in  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
favor  of  the  Most  High  was  extended  to  us  in  that 
and  the  ensuing  meeting. 

I  had  conversation  at  my  lodging  with  my  be- 
loved friend  Samuel  Eastburn,  who  expressed  a 
concern  to  join  in  a  visit  to  some  Friends  in  that 
county  who  had  negroes,  and  as  I  had  felt  a 
drawing  in  my  mind  to  the  said  work,  I  came 
home  and  put  things  in  order.  On  nth  of 
twelfth  month  I  went  over  the  river,  and  on  the 
next  day  was  at  Buckingham  Meeting,  where, 
through  the  descendings  of  heavenly  dew,  my 
mind  was  comforted  and  drawn  into  a  near  unity 
with  the  flock  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Entering  upon  this  business  appeared  weighty, 
and  before  I  left  home  my  mind  was  often  sad, 
under  which  exercise  I  felt  at  times  the  Holy  Spirit 
which  helps  our  infirmities,  and  through  which  my 
prayers  were  at  times  put  up  to  God  in  private 
that  he  would  be  pleased  to  purge  me  from  all 
selfishness,  that  I  might  be  strengthened  to  dis- 
charge my  duty  faithfully,  how  hard  soever  to  the 
natural  part.  We  proceeded  on  the  visit  in  a 
weighty  frame  of  spirit,  and  went  to  the  houses  of 
the  most  active  members  who  had  negroes  through- 
out the  county.  Through  the  goodness  of  the 
Lord  my  mind  was  preserved  in  resignation  in 
times  of  trial,  and  though  the  work  was  hard  to 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      153 

nature,  yet  through  the  strength  of  that  love  which 
is  stronger  than  death,  tenderness  of  heart  was 
often  felt  amongst  us  in  our  visits,  and  we  parted 
from  several  families  with  greater  satisfaction  than 
we  expected. 

We  visited  Joseph  White's  family,  he  being  in 
England ;  we  had  also  a  family-sitting  at  the  house 
of  an  elder  who  bore  us  company,  and  were  at 
Makefield  on  a  first  day :  at  all  which  times  my 
heart  was  truly  thankful  to  the  Lord  who  was 
graciously  pleased  to  renew  his  loving-kindness 
to  us,  his  poor  servants,  uniting  us  together  in  his 
work. 

In  the  winter  of  this  year,  the  small-pox  being  in 
our  town,  and  many  being  inoculated,  of  whom  a 
few  died,  some  things  were  opened  in  my  mind, 
which  I  wrote  as  follows  :  — 

The  more  fully  our  lives  are  conformable  to  the 
will  of  God,  the  better  it  is  for  us ;  I  have  looked 
on  the  small-pox  as  a  messenger  from  the  Almighty, 
to  be  an  assistant  in  the  cause  of  virtue,  and  to  in- 
cite us  to  consider  whether  we  employ  our  time 
only  in  such  things  as  are  consistent  with  perfect 
wisdom  and  goodness.  Building  houses  suitable  to 
dwell  in,  for  ourselves  and  our  creatures ;  preparing 
clothing  suitable  for  the  climate  and  season,  and 
food  convenient,  are  all  duties  incumbent  on  us. 
And  under  these  general  heads  are  many  branches 
of  business  in  which  we  may  venture  health  and 
life,  as  necessity  may  require. 

This  disease  being  in  a  house,  and  my  business 
7* 


154      TJie  Jotirnal  of  John  Woo  If  nan. 

calling  me  to  go  near  it,  incites  me  to  consider 
whether  this  is  a  real  indispensable  duty  ;  whether 
it  is  not  in  conformity  to  some  custom  which  would 
be  better  laid  aside,  or,  whether  it  does  not  proceed 
from  too  eager  a  pursuit  after  some  outward  treas- 
ure. If  the  business  before  me  springs  not  from 
a  clear  understanding  and  a  regard  to  that  use 
of  things  which  perfect  wisdom  approves,  to  be 
brought  to  a  sense  of  it  and  stopped  in  my  pur- 
suit is  a  kindness,  for  when  I  proceed  to  business 
without  some  evidence  of  duty,  I  have  found  by 
experience  that  it  tends  to  weakness. 

If  I  am  so  situated  that  there  appears  no  proba- 
bility of  missing  the  infection,  it  tends  to  make  me 
think  whether  my  manner  of  life  in  things  outward 
has  nothing  in  it  which  may  unfit  my  body  to  re- 
ceive this  messenger  in  a  way  the  most  favorable 
to  me.  Do  I  use  food  and  drink  in  no  other  sort 
and  in  no  other  degree  than  was  designed  by  Him 
who  gave  these  creatures  for  our  sustenance  ?  Do 
I  never  abuse  my  body  by  inordinate  labor,  striving 
to  accomplish  some  end  which  I  have  unwisely 
proposed  ?  Do  I  use  action  enough  in  some  use- 
ful employ,  or  do  I  sit  too  much  idle  while  some 
persons  who  labor  to  support  me  have  too  great  a 
share  of  it  ?  If  in  any  of  these  things  I  am  de- 
ficient, to  be  incited  to  consider  it  is  a  favor  to  me. 
Employment  is  necessary  in  social  life,  and  this  in- 
fection, which  often  proves  mortal,  incites  me  to 
think  whether  these  social  acts  of  mine  are  real 
duties.  If  I  go  on  a  visit  to  the  widows  and  father- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      15,5 

less,  do  I  go  purely  on  a  principle  of  charity,  free 
from  any  selfish  views  ?  If  I  go  to  a  religious  meet- 
ing it  puts  me  on  thinking  whether  I  go  in  sincerity 
and  in  a  clear  sense  of  duty,  or  whether  it  is  not 
partly  in  conformity  to  custom,  or  partly  from  a 
sensible  delight  which  my  animal  spirits  feel  in  the 
company  of  other  people,  and  whether  to  support 
my  reputation  as  a  religious  man  has  no  share 
in  it. 

Do  affairs  relating  to  civil  society  call  me  near 
this  infection  ?  If  I  go,  it  is  at  the  hazard  of  my 
health  and  life,  and  it_  becomes  me  to  think  seri- 
ously whether  love  to  truth  and  righteousness  is 
the  motive  of  my  attending ;  whether  the  manner 
of  proceeding  is  altogether  equitable,  or  whether 
aught  of  narrowness,  party  interest,  respect  to  out- 
ward dignities,  names,  or  distinctions  among  men, 
do  not  stain  the  beauty  of  those  assemblies,  and 
render  it  doubtful ;  in  point  of  duty,  whether  a 
disciple  of  Christ  ought  to  attend  as  a  member 
united  to  the  body  or  not.  Whenever  there  are 
blemishes  which  for  a  series  of  time  remain  such, 
that  which  is  a  means  of  stirring  us  up  to  look 
attentively  on  these  blemishes,  and  to  labor  accord- 
ing to  our  capacities,  to  have  health  and  soundness 
restored  in  our  country,  we  may  justly  account  a 
kindness  from  our  gracious  Father,  who  appointed 
that  means. 

The  care  of  a  wise  and  good  man  for  his  only 
son  is  inferior  to  the  regard  of  the  great  Parent  of 
the  universe  for  his  creatures.  He  hath  the  com- 


156      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

mand  of  all  the  powers  and  operations  in  nature, 
and  "  doth  not  afflict  willingly,  nor  grieve  the  chil- 
dren of  men."  Chastisement  is  intended  for  in- 
struction, and  instruction  being  received  by  gentle 
chastisement,  greater  calamities  are  prevented.  By 
an  earthquake  hundreds  of  houses  are  sometimes 
shaken  down  in  a  few  minutes,  multitudes  of  peo- 
ple perish  suddenly,  and  many  more,  being  crushed 
and  bruised  in  the  ruins  of  the  buildings,  pine  away 
and  die  in  great  misery. 

By  the  breaking  in  of  enraged  merciless  armies, 
flourishing  countries  have  been  laid  waste  great 
numbers  of  people  have  perished  in  a  short  time, 
and  many  more  have  been  pressed  with  poverty 
and  grief.  By  the  pestilence,  people  have  died  so 
fast  in  a  city,  that,  through  fear,  grief,  and  confu- 
sion, those  in  health  have  found  great  difficulty  in 
burying  the  dead,  even  without  coffins.  By  famine, 
great  numbers  of  people  in  some  places  have  been 
brought  to  the  utmost  distress,  and  have  pined 
away  for  want  of  the  necessaries  of  life.  Thus, 
when  the  kind  invitations  and  gentle  chastisements 
of  a  gracious  God  have  not  been  attended  to,  his 
sore  judgments  have  at  times  been  poured  out 
upon  people. 

While  some  rules  approved  in  civil  society  and 
conformable  to  human  policy,  so  called,  are  dis- 
tinguishable from  the  purity  of  truth  and  right- 
eousness, —  while  many  professing  the  truth  are 
declining  from  that  ardent  love  and  heavenly- 
mindedness  which  was  amongst  the  primitive  fol- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       157 

lowers  of  Jesus  Christ,  it  is  time  for  us  to  attend 
diligently  to  the  intent  of  every  chastisement,  and 
to  consider  the  most  deep  and  inward  design  of 
them. 

The  Most  High  doth  not  often  speak  with  an 
outward  voice  to  our  outward  ears,  but  if  we  hum- 
bly meditate  on  his  perfections,  corrsider  that  he  is 
perfect  wisdom  and  goodness,  and  that  to  afflict 
his  creatures  to  no  purpose  would  be  utterly  averse 
to  his  nature,  we  shall  hear  and  understand  his 
language  both  in  his  gentle  and  more  heavy  chas- 
tisements, and  shall  take  heed  that  we  do  not,  in 
the  wisdom  of  this  world,  endeavor  to  escape  his 
hand  by  means  too  powerful  for  us. 

Had  he  endowed  men  with  understanding  to 
prevent  this  disease  (the  small-pox)  by  means 
which  had  never  proved  hurtful  nor  mortal,  such 
a  discovery  might  be  considered  as  the  period  of 
chastisement  by  this  distemper,  where  that  knowl- 
edge extended.*  But  as  life  and  health  are  his 
gifts,  and  are  not  to  be  disposed  of  in  our  own 
wills,  to  take  upon  us  by  inoculation  when  in 
health  a  disorder  of  which  some  die,  requires  great 
clearness  of  knowledge  that  it  is  our  duty  to  do  so. 

*  Whatever  may  be  thought  of  these  scruples  of  John 
Woolman  in  regard  to  inoculation,  his  objections  can 
scarcely  be  considered  valid  against  vaccination,  which, 
since  his  time,  has  so  greatly  mitigated  the  disease.  He 
almost  seems  to  have  anticipated  some  such  preventive. 


158      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman* 


CHAPTER    VII. 

1760. 

Visit,  in  Company  with  Samuel  Eastburn,  to  Long  Island, 
Rhode  Island,  Boston,  etc.  —  Remarks  on  the  Slave-Trade 
at  Newport ;  also  on  Lotteries.  —  Some  Observations  on 
the  Island  of  Nantucket. 

FOURTH  month,  1760.  — Having  for  some 
time  past  felt  a  sympathy  in  my  mind  with 
Friends  eastward,  I  opened  my  concern  in  our 
Monthly  Meeting,  and,  obtaining  a  certificate,  set 
forward  on  the  i7th  of  this  month,  in  company 
with  my  beloved  friend  Samuel  Eastburn.  We 
had  meetings  at  Woodbridge,  Rahaway,  and  Plain- 
field,  and  were  at  their  Monthly  Meeting  of  minis- 
ters and  elders  in  Rahaway.  We  labored  under 
some  discouragement,  but  through  the  invisible 
power  of  truth  our  visit  was  made  reviving  to 
the  lowly-minded,  with  whom  I  felt  a  near  unity 
of  spirit,  being  much  reduced  in  my  mind.  We 
passed  on  and  visited  most  of  the  meetings  on 
Long  Island.  It  was  my  concern  from  day  to  day 
to  say  neither  more  nor  less  than  what  the  spirit 
of  truth  opened  in  me,  being  jealous  over  myself 
lest  I  should  say  anything  to  make  my  testimony 
look  agreeable  to  that  mind  in  people  which  is  not 
in  pure  obedience  to  the  cross  of  Christ. 

The  spring  of  the  ministry  was  often  low,  and 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman*       159 

through  the  subjecting  power  of  truth  we  were 
kept  low  with  it';  from  place  to  place  they  whose 
hearts  were  truly  concerned  for  the  cause  of  Christ 
appeared  to  be  comforted  in  our  labors,  and  though 
it  was  in  general  a  time  of  abasement  of  the  crea- 
ture, yet  through  his  goodness  who  is  a  helper  of 
the  poor  we  had  some  truly  edifying  seasons  both 
in  meetings  and  in  families  where  we  tarried; 
sometimes  we  found  strength  to  labor  earnestly 
with  the  unfaithful,  especially  with  those  whose 
station  in  families  or  in  the  Society  was  such  that 
their  example  had  a  powerful  tendency  to  open 
the  way  for  others  to  go  aside  from  the  purity  and 
soundness  of  the  blessed  truth. 

At  Jericho,  on  Long  Island,  I  wrote  home  as 
follows  :  — 

24th  of  the  fourth  month,  1760. 

DEARLY  BELOVED  WIFE! 

We  are  favored  with  health ;  have  been  at  sun- 
dry meetings  in  East  Jersey  and  on  this  island. 
My  mind  hath  been  much  in  an  inward,  watchful 
frame  since  I  left  thee,  greatly  desiring  that  our 
proceedings  may  be  singly  in  the  will  of  our  Heav- 
enly Father. 

As  the  present  appearance  of  things  is  not  joy- 
ous, I  have  been  much  shut  up  from  outward  cheer- 
fulness, remembering  that  promise,  "Then  shalt 
thou  delight  thyself  in  the  Lord  "  ;  as  this  from  day 
to  day  has  been  revived  in  my  memory,  I  have  con- 
sidered that  his  internal  presence  in  our  minds  is  a 
delight  of  all  others  the  most  pure,  and  that  the 


160      The  Journal  of  Jo  Jin  Woolman. 

honest-hearted  not  only  delight  in  this,  but  in  the 
effect  of  it  upon  them.  He  regards  the  helpless 
and  distressed,  and  reveals  his  love  to  his  children 
under  affliction,  who  delight  in  beholding  his  be- 
nevolence, and  in  feeling  Divine  charity  moving  in 
them.  Of  this  I  may  speak  a  little,  for  though 
since  I  left  you  I  have  often  an  engaging  love 
and  affection  towards  thee  and  my  daughter,  and 
friends  about  home,  and  going  out  at  this  time, 
when  sickness  is  so  great  amongst  you,  is  a  trial 
upon  me;  yei  I  often  remember  there  are  many 
widows  and  fatherless,  many  who  have  poor  tutors, 
many  who  have  evil  examples  before  them,  and 
many  whose  minds  are  in  captivity ;  for  whose  sake 
my  heart  is  at  times  moved  with  compassion,  so 
that  I  feel  my  mind  resigned  to  leave  you  for  a 
season,  to  exercise  that  gift  which  the  Lord  hath 
bestowed  on  me,  which  though  small  compared 
with  some,  yet  in  this  I  rejoice,  that  I  feel  love  un- 
feigned towards  my  fellow-creatures.  I  recommend 
you  to  the  Almighty,  who  I  trust,  cares  for  you,  and 
under  a  sense  of  his  heavenly  love  remain, 

Thy  loving  husband, 

J.W. 

We  crossed  from  the  east  end  of  Long  Island  to 
New  London,  about  thirty  miles,  in  a  large  open 
boat ;  while  we  were  out,  the  wind  rising  high,  the 
waves  several  times  beat  over  us,  so  that  to  me  it 
appeared  dangerous,  but  my  mind  was  at  that  time 
turned  to  Him  who  made  and  governs  the  deep,  and 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      161 

my  life  was  resigned  to  him  ;  as  he  was  mercifully 
pleased  to  preserve  us  I  had  fresh  occasion  to  con- 
sider every  day  as  a  day  lent  to  me,  and  felt  a  re- 
newed engagement  to  devote  my  time,  and  all  I 
had,  to  him  who  gave  it. 

We  had  five  meetings  in  Narraganset,  and  went 
thence  to  Newport  on  Rhode  Island.  Our  gra- 
cious Father  preserved  us  in  an  humble  depend- 
ence on  him  through  deep  exercises  that  were 
mortifying  to  the  creaturely  will.  In  several  fami- 
lies in  the  country  where  we  lodged,  I  felt  an 
engagement  on  my  mind  to  have  a  conference 
with  them  in  private,  concerning  their  slaves  ;  and 
through  Divine  aid  I  was  favored  to  give  up 
thereto.  Though  in  this  concern  I  differ  from 
many  whose  service  in  travelling  is,  I  believe, 
greater  than  mine,  yet  I  do  not  think  hardly  of 
them  for  omitting  it ;  I  do  not  repine  at  having  so 
unpleasant  a  task  assigned  me,  but  look  with 
awfulness  to  him  who  appoints  to  his  servants 
their  respective  employments,  and  is  good  to  all 
who  serve  him  sincerely. 

We  got  to  Newport  in  the  evening,  and  on  the 
next  day  visited  two  sick  persons,  with  whom  we 
had  comfortable  sittings,  and  in  the  afternoon 
attended  the  burial  of  a  Friend.  The  next  day 
we  were  at  meetings  at  Newport,  in  the  forenoon 
and  afternoon  ;  the  spring  of  the  ministry  was 
opened,  and  strength  was  given  to  declare  the 
Word  of  Life  to  the  people. 

The  day  following  we  went  on  our  journey,  but 

K 


1 62      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

the  great  number  of  slaves  in  these  parts,  and  the 
continuance  of  that  trade  from  thence  to  Guinea, 
made  a  deep  impression  on  me,  and  my  cries  were 
often  put  up  to  my  Heavenly  Father  in  secret,  that 
he  would  enable  me  to  discharge  my  duty  faith- 
fully in  such  way  as  he  might  be  pleased  to  point 
out  to  me. 

We  took  Swansea,  Freetown,  and  Tanton  in  our 
way  to  Boston,  where  also  we  had  a  meeting ;  our 
exercise  was  deep,  and  the  love  of  truth  prevailed, 
for  which  I  bless  the  Lord.  We  went  eastward 
about  eighty  miles  beyond  Boston,  taking  meet- 
ings, and  were  in  a  good  degree  preserved  in  an 
humble  dependence  on  that  arm  which  drew  us 
out ;  and  though  we  had  some  hard  labor  with  the 
disobedient,  by  laying  things  home  and  close  to 
such  as  were  stout  against  the  truth,  yet  through 
the  goodness  of  God  we  had  at  times  to  partake  of 
heavenly  comfort  with  those  who  were  meek,  and 
were  often  favored  to  part  with  Friends  in  the 
nearness  of  true  gospel  fellowship.  We  returned 
to  Boston  and  had  another  comfortable  opportunity 
with  Friends  there,  and  thence  rode  back  a  day's 
journey  eastward  of  Boston.  Our  guide  being  a 
heavy  man,  and  the  weather  hot,  my  companion 
and  I  expressed  our  freedom  to  go  on  without  him, 
to  which  he  consented,  and  we  respectfully  took 
our  leave  of  him  ;  this  we  did  as  believing  the 
journey  would  have  been  hard  to  him  and  his 
.  horse. 

In  visiting  the  meetings  in  those  parts  we  were 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      163 

measurably  baptized  into  a  feeling  of  the  state  of 
the  Society,  and  in  bowedness  of  spirit  went  to  the 
Yearly  Meeting  at  Newport,  where  we  met  with 
John  Storer  from  England,  Elizabeth  Shipley,  Ann 
Gaunt,  Hannah  Foster,  and  Mercy  Redman,  from 
our  parts,  all  ministers  of  the  gospel,  of  whose  com- 
pany I  was  glad.  Understanding  that  a  large 
number  of  slaves  had  been  imported  from  Africa 
into  that  town,  and  were  then  on  sale  by  a  mem- 
ber of  our  Society,  my  appetite  failed,  and  I  grew 
outwardly  weak,  and  had  a  feeling  of  the  condition 
of  Habakkuk,  as  thus  expressed,  "When  I  heard, 
my  belly  trembled,  my  lips  quivered,  I  trembled  in 
myself,  that  I  might  rest  in  the  day  of  trouble."  I 
had  many  cogitations,  and  was  sorely  distressed. 
I  was  desirous  that  Friends  might  petition  the 
Legislature  to  use  their  endeavors  to  discourage 
the  future  importation  of  slaves,  for  I  saw  that  this 
trade  was  a  great  evil,  and  tended  to  multiply 
troubles,  and  to  bring  distresses  on  the  people  for 
whose  welfare  my  heart  was  deeply  concerned. 
But  I  perceived  several  difficulties  in  regard  to 
petitioning,  and  such  was  the  exercise  of  my  mind 
that  I  thought  of  endeavoring  to  get  an  opportunity 
to  speak  a  few  words  in  the  House  of  Assembly, 
then  sitting  in  town. 

This  exercise  came  upon  me  in  the  afternoon 
on  the  second  day  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  on 
going  to  bed  I  got  no  sleep  till  my  mind  was 
wholly  resigned  thereto.  In  the  morning  I  in- 
quired of  a  Friend  how  long  the  Assembly  was 


164       The  Jotirnal  of  John  Woolman. 

likely  to  continue  sitting,  who  told  me  it  was  ex- 
pected to  be  prorogued  that  day  or  the  next  As  I 
was  desirous  to  attend  the  business  of  the  meeting, 
and  perceived  the  Assembly  was  likely  to  separate 
before  the  business  was  over,  after  considerable 
exercise,  humbly  seeking  to  the  Lord  for  instruc- 
tion, my  mind  settled  to  attend  on  the  business  of 
the  meeting ;  on  the  last  day  of  which  I  had  pre- 
pared a  short  essay  of  a  petition  to  be  presented 
to  the  Legislature,  if  way  opened.  And  being  in- 
formed that  there  were  some  appointed  by  that 
Yearly  Meeting  to  speak  with  those  in  authority 
on  cases  relating  to  the  Society,  I  opened  my  mind 
to  several  of  them,  and  showed  them  the  essay  I 
had  made,  and  afterwards  I  opened  the  case  in  the 
meeting  for  business,  in  substance  as  follows  :  — 

"  I  have  been  under  a  concern  for  some  time  on 
account  of  the  great  number  of  slaves  which  are 
imported  into  this  colony.  I  am  aware  that  it  is  a 
tender  point  to  speak  to,  but  apprehend  I  am  not 
clear  in  the  sight  of  Heaven  without  doing  so.  I 
have  prepared  an  essay  of  a  petition  to  be  presented 
to  the  Legislature,  if  way  open  ;  and  what  I  have 
to  propose  to  this  meeting  is  that  some  Friends 
may  be  named  to  withdraw  and  look  over  it,  and 
report  whether  they  believe  it  suitable  to  be  read  in 
the  meeting.  If  they  should  think  well  of  reading 
it,  it  will  remain  for  the  meeting  to  consider  whether 
to  take  any  further  notice  of  it,  as  a  meeting,  or 
not."  After  a  short  conference  some  Friends  went 
out,  and,  looking  over  it,  expressed  their  willing- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       165 

ness  to  have  it  read,  which  being  done,  many  ex- 
pressed their  unity  with  the  proposal,  and  some 
signified  that  to  have  the  subjects  of  the  petition 
enlarged  upon,  and  signed  out  of  meeting  by  such 
as  were  free,  would  be  more  suitable  than  to  do  it 
there.  Though  I  expected  at  first  that  if  it  was 
done  it  would  be  in  that  way,  yet  such  was  the  ex- 
ercise of  my  mind  that  to  move  it  in  the  hearing 
of  Friends  when  assembled  appeared  to  me  as  a 
duty,  for  my  heart  yearned  towards  the  inhabitants 
of  these  parts,  believing  that  by  this  trade  there 
had  been  an  increase  of  inquietude  amongst  them, 
and  way  had  been  made  for  the  spreading  of  a 
spirit  opposite  to  that  meekness  and  humility  which 
is  a  sure  resting-place  for  the  soul ;  and  that  the 
continuance  of  this  trade  would  not  only  render 
their  healing  more  difficult,  but  would  increase 
their  malady. 

Having  proceeded  thus  far,  I  felt  easy  to  leave 
the  essay  amongst  Friends,  for  them  to  proceed  in 
it  as  they  believed  best.  And  now  an  exercise  re- 
vived in  my  mind  in  relation  to  lotteries,  which 
were  common  in  those  parts.  I  had  mentioned 
the  subject  in  a  former  sitting  of  this  meeting, 
when  arguments  were  used  in  favor  of  Friends 
being  held  excused  who  were  only  concerned  in 
such  lotteries  as  were  agreeable  to  law.  And  now, 
on  moving  it  again,  it  was  opposed  as  before  ;  but 
the  hearts  of  some  solid  Friends  appeared  to  be 
united  to  discourage  the  practice  amongst  their 
members,  and  the  matter  was  zealously  handled  by 


1 66      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

some  on  both  sides.  In  this  debate  it  appeared 
very  clear  to  me  that  the  spirit  of  lotteries  was  a 
spirit  of  selfishness,  which  tended  to  confuse  and 
darken  the  understanding,  and  that  pleading  for  it 
in  our  meetings,  which  were  set  apart  for  the  Lord's 
work,  was  not  right.  In  the  heat  of  zeal,  I  made 
reply  to  what  an  ancient  Friend  said,  and  when  I 
sat  down  I  saw  that  my  words  were  not  enough 
seasoned  with  charity.  After  this  I  spoke  no 
more  on  the  subject.  At  length  a  minute  was 
made,  a  copy  of  which  was  to  be  sent  to  their 
several  Quarterly  Meetings,  inciting  Friends  to 
labor  to  discourage  the  practice  amongst  all  pro- 
fessing with  us. 

Some  time  after  this  minute  was  made  I  remained 
uneasy  with  the  manner  of  my  speaking  to  the  an- 
cient Friend,  and  could  not  see  my  way  clear  to 
conceal  my  uneasiness,  though  I  was  concerned 
that  I  might  say  nothing  to  weaken  the  cause  in 
which  I  had  labored.  After  some  close  exercise  and 
hearty  repentance  for  not  having  attended  closely 
to  the  safe  guide,  I  stood  up,  and,  reciting  the  pas- 
sage, acquainted  Friends  that  though  I  durst  not 
go  from  what  I  had  said  as  to  the  matter,  yet  I  was 
uneasy  with  the  manner  of  my  speaking,  believing 
milder  language  would  have  been  better.  As  this 
was  uttered  in  some  degree  of  creaturely  abasement 
after  a  warm  debate,  it  appeared  to  have  a  good 
savor  amongst  us. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  being  now  over,  there  yet 
remained  on  my  mind  a  secret  though  heavy  exer- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       167 

else,  in   regard  to  some  leading  active  members 
about  Newport,  who  were  in  the  practice  of  keep- 
ing slaves.  This  I  mentioned  to  two  ancient  Friends 
who  came  out  of  the  country,  and  proposed  to  them, 
if  way  opened,  to  have  some  conversation  with  those 
members.     One  of  them  and  I,  having  consulted 
one  of  the  most  noted  elders  who  had  slaves,  he, 
in  a  respectful  manner,  encouraged  me  to  proceed 
to  clear  myself  of  what  lay  upon  me.     Near  the  be- 
ginning of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  I  had  had  a  private 
conference  with  this  said  elder  and  his  wife,  con- 
cerning their  slaves,  so  that  the  way  seemed  clear 
to  me  to  advise  with  him  about  the  manner  of  pro- 
ceeding.    I  told  him  I  was  free  to  have  a  confer- 
ence with  them  all  together  in  a  private  house  ;  or 
if  he  thought   they  would  take  it  unkind  to  be 
asked  to  come  together,  and  to  be  spoken  with  in 
the  hearing  of  one  another,  I  was  free  to  spend 
some  time  amongst  them,  and  to  visit  them  all  in 
their  own  houses.     He  expressed  his  liking  to  the 
first   proposal,    not   doubting  their  willingness   to 
come  together ;  and,  as  I  proposed  a  visit  to  only 
ministers,   elders,  and  overseers,  he  named  some 
others  whom  he  desired  might  also  be  present     A 
careful  messenger  being  wanted  to  acquaint  them 
in  a  proper  manner,  he  offered  to  go  to  all  their 
houses,  to  open  the  matter  to  them,  —  and  did  so. 
About  the  eighth  hour  the  next  morning  we  met 
in  the  meeting-house  chamber,  the  last-mentioned 
country  Friend,  my  companion,   and  John  Storer 
being  with  us.     After  a  short  time  of  retirement, 


1 68      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

I  acquainted  them  with  the  steps  I  had  taken  in 
procuring  that  meeting,  and  opened  the  concern  I 
was  under,  and  we  then  proceeded  to  a  free  confer- 
ence upon  the  subject.  My  exercise  was  heavy, 
and  I  was  deeply  bowed  in  spirit  before  the  Lord, 
who  was  pleased  to  favor  with  the  seasoning  virtue 
of  truth,  which  wrought  a  tenderness  amongst  us  ; 
and  the  subject  was  mutually  handled  in  a  calm 
and  peaceable  spirit.  At  length,  feeling  my  mind 
released  from  the  burden  which  I  had  been  under, 
I  took  my  leave  of  them  in  a  good  degree  of  satis- 
faction ;  and  by  the  tenderness  they  manifested  in 
regard  to  the  practice,  and  the  concern  several  of 
them  expressed  in  relation  to  the  manner  of  dis- 
posing of  their  negroes  after  their  decease,  I  be- 
lieved that  a  good  exercise  was  spreading  amongst 
them  ;  and  I  am  humbly  thankful  to  God,  who  sup- 
ported my  mind  and  preserved  me  in  a  good  degree 
of  resignation  through  these  trials. 

Thou  who  sometimes  travellest  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  art  made  very  welcome  by  thy  friends, 
seest  many  tokens  of  their  satisfaction  in  having 
thee  for  their  guest.  It  is  good  for  thee  to  dwell 
deep,  that  thou  mayest  feel  and  understand  the 
spirits  of  people.  If  we  believe  truth  points  to- 
wards a  conference  on  some  subjects  in  a  private 
way,  it  is  needful  for  us  to  take  heed  that  their  kind- 
ness, their  freedom,  and  affability  do  not  hinder  us 
from  the  Lord's  work.  I  have  experienced  that, 
in  the  midst  of  kindness  and  smooth  conduct,  to 
speak  close  and  home  to  them  who  entertain  us,  on 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      169 

points  that  relate  to  outward  interest,  is  hard  labor. 
Sometimes,  when  I  have  felt  truth  lead  towards  it, 
I  have  found  myself  disqualified  by  a  superficial 
friendship;  and  as  the  sense  thereof  hath  abased  me, 
and  my  cries  have  been  to  the  Lord,  so  I  have  been 
humbled  and  made  content  to  appear  weak,  or  as  a 
fool  for  his  sake  \  and  thus  a  door  hath  been  opened 
to  enter  upon  it.  To  attempt  to  do  the  Lord's  work 
in  our  own  way,  and  to  speak  of  that  which  is  the 
burden  of  the  Word,  in  a  way  easy  to  the  natural 
part,  doth  not  reach  the  bottom  of  the  disorder. 
To  see  the  failings  of  our  friends,  and  think  hard 
of  them,  without  opening  that  which  we  ought  to 
open,  and  still  carry  a  face  of  friendship,  tends  to 
undermine  the  foundation  of  true  unity.  The  office 
of  a  minister  of  Christ  is  weighty.  And  they  who 
now  go  forth  as  watchmen  have  need  to  be  steadily 
on  their  guard  against  the  snares  of  prosperity  and 
an  outside  friendship. 

After  the  Yearly  Meeting  we  were  at  meetings 
at  Newtown,  Cushnet,  Long  Plain,  Rochester,  and 
Dartmouth.  From  thence  we  sailed  for  Nantucket, 
in  company  with  Ann  Gaunt,  Mercy  Redman,  and 
several  other  Friends.  The  wind  being  slack  we 
only  reached  Tarpawling  Cove  the  first  day  ;  where, 
going  on  shore,  we  found  room  in  a  public-house, 
and  beds  for  a  few  of  us,  —  the  rest  slept  on  the 
floor.  We  went  on  board  again  about  break  of  day, 
and  though  the  wind  was  small,  we  were  favored 
to  come  within  about  four  miles  of  Nantucket ; 
and  then  about  ten  of  us  got  into  our  boat  and 
8 


170      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

rowed  to  the  harbor  before  dark ;  a  large  boat  went 
off  and  brought  in  the  rest  of  the  passengers  about 
midnight.  The  next  day  but  one  was  their  Yearly 
Meeting,  which  held  four  days,  the  last  of  which  was 
their  Monthly  Meeting  for  business.  We  had  a 
laborious  time  amongst  them ;  our  minds  were 
closely  exercised,  and  I  believe  it  was  a  time  of 
great  searching  of  heart.  The  longer  I  was  on  the 
Island  the  more  I  became  sensible  that  there  was 
a  considerable  number  of  valuable  Friends  there, 
though  an  evil  spirit,  tending  to  strife,  had  been  at 
work  amongst  them.  I  was  cautious  of  making 
any  visits  except  as  my  mind  was  particularly  drawn 
to  them  ;  and  in  that  way  we  had  some  sittings  in 
Friends'  houses,  where  the  heavenly  wing  was  at 
times  spread  over  us,  to  our  mutual  comfort.  My 
beloved  companion  had  very  acceptable  service  on 
this  island. 

When  meeting  was  over  we  all  agreed  to  sail  the 
next  day  if  the  weather  was  suitable  and  we  were 
well ;  and  being  called  up  the  latter  part  of  the 
night,  about  fifty  of  us  went  on  board  a  vessel ;  but, 
the  wind  changing,  the  seamen  thought  best  to  stay 
in  the  harbor  till  it  altered,  so  we  returned  on  shore. 
Feeling  clear  as  to  any  further  visits,  I  spent  my 
time  in  my  chamber,  chiefly  alone ;  and  after  some 
hours,  my  heart  being  filled  with  the  spirit  of  sup- 
plication, my  prayers  and  tears  were  poured  out 
before  my  Heavenly  Father  for  his  help  and  in- 
struction in  the  manifold  difficulties  which  attended 
me  in  life.  While  I  was  waiting  upon  the  Lord, 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      171 

there  came  a  messenger  from  the  women  Friends 
who  lodged  at  another  house,  desiring  to  confer 
with  us  about  appointing  a  meeting,  which  to  me 
appeared  weighty,  as  we  had  been  at  so  many 
before  ;  but  after  a  short  conference,  and  advising 
with  some  elderly  Friends,  a  meeting  was  appointed, 
in  which  the  Friend  who  first  moved  it,  and  who 
had  been  much  shut  up  before,  was  largely  opened 
in  the  love  of  the  gospel.  The  next  morning  about 
break  of  day  going  again  on  board  the  vessel,  we 
reached  Falmouth  on  the  Main  before  night,  where 
our  horses  being  brought,  we  proceeded  towards 
Sandwich  Quarterly  Meeting. 

Being  two  days  in  going  to  Nantucket,  and  hav- 
ing been  there  once  before,  I  observed  many  shoals 
in  their  bay,  which  make  sailing  more  dangerous, 
especially  in  stormy  nights  ;  also,  that  a  great  shoal, 
which  encloses  their  harbor,  prevents  the  entrance 
of  sloops  except  when  the  tide  is  up.  Waiting 
without  for  the  rising  of  the  tide  is  sometimes  haz- 
ardous in  storms,  and  by  waiting  within  they  some- 
times miss  a  fair  wind.  I  took  notice  that  there 
was  on  that  small  island  a  great  number  of  inhabi- 
tants, and  the  soil  not  very  fertile,  the  timber  being 
so  gone  that  for  vessels,  fences,  and  firewood,  they 
depend  chiefly  on  buying  from  the  Main,  for  the 
cost  whereof,  with  most  of  their  other  expenses, 
they  depend  principally  upon  the  whale  fishery.  I 
considered  that  as  towns  grew  larger,  and  lands 
near  navigable  waters  were  more  cleared,  it  would 
require  more  labor  to  get  timber  and  wood.  I 


172       The  Journal  of  John   Woolman. 

understood  that  the  whales,  being  much  hunted  and 
sometimes  wounded  and  not  killed,  grow  more  shy 
and  difficult  to  come  at.  I  considered  that  the 
formation  of  the  earth,  the  seas,  the  islands,  bays, 
and  rivers,  the  motions  of  the  winds,  and  great 
waters,  which  cause  bars  and  shoals  in  particular 
places,  were  all  the  works  of  Him  who  is  perfect 
wisdom  and  goodness  ;  and  as  people  attend  to  his 
heavenly  instruction,  and  put  their  trust  in  him, 
he  provides  for  them  in  all  parts  where  he  gives 
them  a  being  ;  and  as  in  this  visit  to  these  people 
I  felt  a  strong  desire  for  their  firm  establishment 
on  the  sure  foundation,  besides  what  was  said  more 
publicly,  I  was  concerned  to  speak  with  the  women 
Friends  in  their  Monthly  Meeting  of  business, 
many  being  present,  and  in  the  fresh  spring  of 
pure  love  to  open  before  them  the  advantage,  both 
inwardly  and  outwardly,  of  attending  singly  to  the 
pure  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  therein  to 
educate  their  children  in  true  humility  and  the 
disuse  of  all  superfluities.  I  reminded  them  of  the 
difficulties  their  husbands  and  sons  were  frequently 
exposed  to  at  sea,  and  that  the  more  plain  and  sim- 
ple their  way  of  living  was  the  less  need  there  would 
be  of  running  great  hazards  to  support  them.  I 
also  encouraged  the  young  women  to  continue  their 
neat,  decent  way  of  attending  themselves  on  the 
affairs  of  the  house  ;  showing,  as  the  way  opened, 
that  where  people  were  truly  humble,  used  them- 
selves to  business,  and  were  content  with  a  plain 
way  of  life,  they  had  ever  had  more  true  peace  and 


The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan.      173 

calmness  of  mind  than  they  who,  aspiring  to  great- 
ness and  outward  show,  have  grasped  hard  for  an 
income  to  support  themselves  therein.  And  as  I 
observed  they  had  few  or  no  slaves,  I  had  to  en- 
courage them  to  be  content  without  them,  making 
mention  of  the  numerous  troubles  and  vexations 
which  frequently  attended  the  minds  of  people  who 
depend  on  slaves  to  do  their  labor. 

We  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Sand- 
wich, in  company  with  Ann  Gaunt  and  Mercy  Red- 
man, which  was  preceded  by  a  Monthly  Meeting, 
and  in  the  whole  held  three  days.  We  were  in 
various  ways  exercised  amongst  them,  in  gospel 
love,  according  to  the  several  gifts  bestowed  on  us, 
and  were  at  times  overshadowed  with  the  virtue  of 
truth,  to  the  comfort  of  the  sincere  and  stirring  up 
of  the  negligent.  Here  we  parted  with  Ann  and 
Mercy,  and  went  to  Rhode  Island,  taking  one 
meeting  in  our  way,  which  was  a  satisfactory  time. 
Reaching  Newport  the  evening  before  their  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  we  attended  it,  and  after  that  had 
a  meeting  with  our  young  people,  separated  from 
those  of  other  societies.  We  went  through  much 
labor  in  this  town ;  and  now,  in  taking  leave  of  it, 
though  I  felt  close  inward  exercise  to  the  last,  I 
found  inward  peace,  and  was  in  some  degree  com- 
forted in  a  belief  that  a  good  number  remain  in 
that  place  who  retain  a  sense  of  truth,  and  that 
there  are  some  young  people  attentive  to  the  voice 
of  the  Heavenly  Shepherd.  The  last  meeting,  in 
which  Friends  from  the  several  parts  of  the  quarter 


1/4      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

came  together,  was  a  select  meeting,  and  through 
the  renewed  manifestation  of  the  Father's  love  the 
hearts  of  the  sincere  were  united  together. 

The  poverty  of  spirit  and  inward  weakness,  with 
which  I  was  much  tried  the  fore  part  of  this  journey, 
has  of  late  appeared  to  me  a  dispensation  of  kind- 
ness. Appointing  meetings  never  appeared  more 
weighty  to  me,  and  I  was  led  into  a  deep  search, 
whether  in  all  things  my  mind  was  resigned  to  the 
will  of  God  ;  often  querying  with  myself  what  should 
be  the  cause  of  such  inward  poverty,  and  greatly 
desiring  that  no  secret  reserve  in  my  heart  might 
hinder  my  access  to  the  Divine  fountain.  In  these 
humbling  times  I  was  made  watchful,  and  excited 
to  attend  to  the  secret  movings  of  the  heavenly 
principle  in  my  mind,  which  prepared  the  way  to 
some  duties,  that,  in  more  easy  and  prosperous 
times  as  to  the  outward,  I  believe  I  should  have 
been  in  danger  of  omitting. 

From  Newport  we  went  to  Greenwich,  Shanticut, 
and  Warwick,  and  were  helped  to  labor  amongst 
Friends  in  the  love  of  our  gracious  Redeemer. 
Afterwards,  accompanied  by  our  friend  John  Casey 
from  Newport,  we  rode  through  Connecticut  to 
Oblong,  visited  the  meetings  in  those  parts,  and 
thence  proceeded  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Rye- 
woods.  Through  the  gracious  extendings  of  Divine 
help,  we  had  some  seasoning  opportunities  in  those 
places.  We  also  visited  Friends  at  New  York  and 
Flushing,  and  thence  to  Rahway.  Here  our  roads 
parting,  I  took  leave  of  my  beloved  companion  and 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      175 

true  yokemate  Samuel  Eastburn,  and  reached  home 
the  loth  of  eighth  month,  where  I  found  my  family 
well.  For  the  favors  and  protection  of  the  Lord, 
both  inward  and  outward,  extended  to  me  in  this 
journey,  my  heart  is  humbled  in  grateful  acknowl- 
edgments, and  I  find  renewed  desires  to  dwell  and 
walk  in  resignedness  before  him. 


176      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1761,  1762. 

Visits  Pennsylvania,  Shrewsbury,  and  Squan.  —  Publishes 
the  Second  Part  of  his  Considerations  on  keeping  Negroes. 
—  The  Grounds  of  his  appearing  in  some  Respects  singular 
in  his  Dress.  —  Visit  to  the  Families  of  Friends  of  Ancocas 
and  Mount  Holly  Meetings.  —  Visits  to  the  Indians  at 
Wehaloosing  on  the  River  Susquehanna. 

HAVING  felt  my  mind  drawn  towards  a  visit 
to  a  few  meetings  in  Pennsylvania,  I  was 
very  desirous  to  be  rightly  instructed  as  to  the  time 
of  setting  off.  On  the  loth  of  fifth  month,  1761, 
being  the  first  day  of  the  week,  I  went  to  Haddon- 
field  Meeting,  concluding  to  seek  for  heavenly  in- 
struction, and  come  home,  or  go  on,  as  I  might 
then  believe  best  for  me,  and  there  through  the 
springing  up  of  pure  love  I  felt  encouragement,  and 
so  crossed  the  river.  In  this  visit  I  was  at  two 
quarterly  and  three  monthly  meetings,  and  in  the 
love  of  truth  I  felt  my  way  open  to  labor  with  some 
noted  Friends  who  kept  negroes.  As  I  was  favored 
to  keep  to  the  root,  and  endeavor  to  discharge  what 
I  believed  was  required  of  me,  I  found  inward  peace 
therein,  from  time  to  time,  and  thankfulness  of 
heart  to  the  Lord,  who  was  graciously  pleased  to 
be  a  guide  to  me. 

Eighth  month,  1761. — Having  felt  drawings  in 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      177 

my  mind  to  visit  Friends  in  and  about  Shrewsbury, 
I  went  there,  and  was  at  their  Monthly  Meeting, 
and  their  first-day  meeting ;  I  had  also  a  meeting  at 
Squan,  and  another  at  Squanquam,  and,  as  way 
opened,  had  conversation  with  some  noted  Friends 
concerning  their  slaves.  I  returned  home  in  a 
thankful  sense  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord. 

From  the  concern  I  felt  growing  in  me  for  some 
years,  I  wrote  part  the  second  of  a  work  entitled 
"  Considerations  on  keeping  Negroes,"  which  was 
printed  this  year,  1762.  When  the  overseers  of 
the  press  had  done  with  it,  they  offered  to  get  a 
number  printed,  to  be  paid  for  out  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting's  stock,  to  be  given  away ;  but  I  being  most 
easy  to  publish  it  at  my  own  expense,  and  offering 
my  reasons,  they  appeared  satisfied. 

This  stock  is  the  contribution  of  the  members  of 
our  religious  society  in  general,  among  whom  are 
some  who  keep  negroes,  and,  being  inclined  to  con- 
tinue them  in  slavery,  are  not  likely  to  be  satisfied 
with  such  books  being  spread  among  a  people, 
especially  at  their  own  expense,  many  of  whose 
slaves  are  taught  to  read,  and  such,  receiving  them 
as  a  gift,  often  conceal  them.  But  as  they  who 
make  a  purchase  generally  buy  that  which  they 
have  a  mind  for,  I  believed  it  best  to  sell  them, 
expecting  by  that  means  they  would  more  generally 
be  read  with  attention.  Advertisements  were  signed 
by  order  of  the  overseers  of  the  press,  and  directed 
to  be  read  in  the  Monthly  Meetings  of  business 
within  our  own  Yearly  Meeting,  informing  where 
8*  L 


178      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

the  books  were,  and  that  the  price  was  no  more 
than  the  cost  of  printing  and  binding  them.  Many 
were  taken  off  in  our  parts ;  some  I  sent  to  Vir- 
ginia, some  to  New  York,  some  to  my  acquaintance 
at  Newport,  and  some  I  kept,  intending  to  give 
part  of  them  away,  where  there  appeared  a  prospect 
of  service. 

In  my  youth  I  was  used  to  hard  labor,  and  though 
I  was  middling  healthy,  yet  my  nature  was  not  fitted 
to  endure  so  much  as  many  others.  Being  often 
weary,  I  was  prepared  to  sympathize  with  those 
whose  circumstances  in  life,  as  free  men,  required 
constant  labor  to  answer  the  demands  of  their 
creditors,  as  well  as  with  others  under  oppression. 
In  the  uneasiness  of  body  which  I  have  many  times 
felt  by  too  much  labor,  not  as  a  forced  but  a  volun- 
tary oppression,  I  have  often  been  excited  to  think 
on  the  original  cause  of  that  oppression  which  is 
imposed  on  many  in  the  world.  The  latter  part  of 
the  time  wherein  I  labored  on  our  plantation,  my 
heart,  through  the  fresh  visitations  of  heavenly  love, 
being  often  tender,  and  my  leisure  time  being  fre- 
quently spent  in  reading  the  life  and  doctrines  of 
our  blessed  Redeemer,  the  account  of  the  sufferings 
of  martyrs,  and  the  history  of  the  first  rise  of  our 
Society,  a  belief  was  gradually  settled  in  my  mind, 
that  if  such  as  had  great  estates  generally  lived  in 
that  humility  and  plainness  which  belong  to  a  Chris- 
tian life,  and  laid  much  easier  rents  and  interests 
on  their  lands  and  moneys,  and  thus  led  the  way  to 
a  right  use  of  things,  so  great  a  number  of  people 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      179 

might  be  employed  in  things  useful,  that  labor  both 
for  men  and  other  creatures  would  need  to  be  no 
more  than  an  agreeable  employ,  and  divers  branches 
of  business,  which  serve  chiefly  to  please  the  natural 
inclinations  of  our  minds,  and  which  at  present  seem 
necessary  to  circulate  that  wealth  which  some  gather, 
might,  in  this  way  of  pure  wisdom,  be  discontinued. 
As  I  have  thus  considered  these  things,  a  query  at 
times  hath  arisen :  Do  I,  in  all  my  proceedings,  keep 
to  that  use  of  things  which  is  agreeable  to  universal 
righteousness  ?  And  then  there  hath  some  degree 
of  sadness  at  times  come  over  me,  because  I  ac- 
customed myself  to  some  things  which  have  occa- 
sioned more  labor  than  I  believe  Divine  wisdom 
intended  for  us. 

From  my  early  acquaintance  with  truth  I  have 
often  felt  an  inward  distress,  occasioned  by  the 
striving  of  a  spirit  in  me  against  the  operation  of 
the  heavenly  principle  ;  and  in  this  state  I  have 
been  affected  with  a  sense  of  my  own  wretched- 
ness, and  in  a  mourning  condition  have  felt  earnest 
longings  for  that  Divine  help  which  brings  the  soul 
into  true  liberty.  Sometimes,  on  retiring  into  pri- 
vate places,  the  spirit  of  supplication  hath  been 
given  me,  and  under  a  heavenly  covering  I  have 
asked  my  gracious  Father  to  give  me  a  heart  in  all 
things  resigned  to  the  direction  of  his  wisdom  ;  in 
uttering  language  like  this,  the  thought  of  my  wear- 
ing hats  and  garments  dyed  with  a  dye  hurtful  to 
them,  has  made  lasting  impression  on  me. 

In  visiting  people  of  note  in  the  Society  who  had 


i8o      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

slaves,  and  laboring  with  them  in  brotherly  love  on 
that  account,  I  have  seen,  and  the  sight  has  affected 
me,  that  a  conformity  to  some  customs  distinguish- 
able from  pure  wisdom  has  entangled  many,  and 
that  the  desire  of  gain  to  support  these  customs 
has  greatly  opposed  the  work  of  truth.  Sometimes 
when  the  prospect  of  the  work  before  me  has  been 
such  that  in  bowedness  of  spirit  I  have  been  drawn 
into  retired  places,  and  have  besought  the  Lord 
with  tears  that  he  would  take  me  wholly  under  his 
direction,  and  show  me  the  way  in  which  I  ought 
to  walk,  it  hath  revived  with  strength  of  conviction 
that  if  I  would  be  his  faithful  servant  I  must  in  all 
things  attend  to  his  wisdom,  and  be  teachable,  and 
so  cease  from  all  customs  contrary  thereto,  how- 
ever used  among  religious  people. 

As  he  is  the  perfection  of  power,  of  wisdom,  and 
of  goodness,  so  I  believe  he  hath  provided  that  so 
much  labor  shall  be  necessary  for  men's  support 
in  this  world  as  would,  being  rightly  divided,  be 
a  suitable  employment  of  their  time  ;  and  that  we 
cannot  go  into  superfluities,  or  grasp  after  wealth  in 
a  way  contrary  to  his  wisdom,  without  having  con- 
nection with  some  degree  of  oppression,  and  with 
that  spirit  which  leads  to  self-exaltation  and  strife, 
and  which  frequently  brings  calamities  on  countries 
by  parties  contending  about  their  claims. 

Being  thus  fully  convinced,  and  feeling  an  in- 
creasing desire  to  live  in  the  spirit  of  peace,  I  have 
often  been  sorrowfully  affected  with  thinking  on  the 
unquiet  spirit  in  which  wars  are  generally  carried 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       181 

on,  and  with  the  miseries  of  many  of  my  fellow- 
creatures  engaged  therein ;  some  suddenly  de- 
stroyed ;  some  wounded,  and  after  much  pain 
remaining  cripples ;  some  deprived  of  all  their 
outward  substance  and  reduced  to  want ;  and 
some  carried  into  captivity.  Thinking  often  on 
these  things,  the  use  of  hats  and  garments  dyed 
with  a  dye  hurtful  to  them,  and  wearing  more 
clothes  in  summer  than  are  useful,  grew  more  un- 
easy to  me,  believing  them  to  be  customs  which 
have  not  their  foundation  in  pure  wisdom.  The 
apprehension  of  being  singular  from  my  beloved 
friends  was  a  strait  upon  me,  and  thus  I  con- 
tinued in  the  use  of  some  things  contrary  to  my 
judgment. 

On  the  3ist  of  fifth  month,  1761,  I  was  taken  ill 
of  a  fever,  and  after  it  had  continued  near  a  week 
I  was  in  great  distress  of  body.  One  day  there 
was  a  cry  raised  in  me  that  I  might  understand  the 
cause  of  my  affliction,  and  improve  under  it,  and 
my  conformity  to  some  customs  which  I  believed 
were  not  right  was  brought  to  my  remembrance. 
In  the  continuance  of  this  exercise  I  felt  all  the 
powers  in  me  yield  themselves  up  into  the  hands 
of  Him  who  gave  me  being,  and  was  made  thank- 
ful that  he  had  taken  hold  of  me  by  his  chastise- 
ments. Feeling  the  necessity  of  further  purifying, 
there  was  now  no  desire  in  me  for  health  until  the 
design  of  my  correction  was  answered.  Thus  I  lay 
in  abasement  and  brokenness  of  spirit,  and  as  I  felt 
a  sinking  down  into  a  calm  resignation,  so  I  felt, 


1 82      The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan. 

as  in  an  instant,  an  inward  healing  in  my  nature ; 
and  from  that  time  forward  I  grew  better. 

Though  my  mind  was  thus  settled  in  relation  to 
hurtful  dyes,  I  felt  easy  to  wear  my  garments  here- 
tofore made,  and  continued  to  do  so  about  nine 
months.  Then  I  thought  of  getting  a  hat  the 
natural  color  of  the  fur,  but  the  apprehension  of 
being  looked  upon  as  one  affecting  singularity  felt 
uneasy  to  me.  Here  I  had  occasion  to  consider 
that  things,  though  small  in  themselves,  being 
clearly  enjoined  by  Divine  authority,  become  great 
things  to  us;  and  I  trusted  that  the  Lord  would 
support  me  in  the  trials  that  might  attend  singu- 
larity, so  long  as  singularity  was  only  for  his  sake. 
On  this  account  I  was  under  close  exercise  of  mind 
in  the  time  of  our  General  Spring  Meeting,  1762, 
greatly  desiring  to  be  rightly  directed  ;  when,  being 
deeply  bowed  in  spirit  before  the  Lord,  I  was  made 
willing  to  submit  to  what  I  apprehended  was  re- 
quired of  me,  and  when  I  returned  home  got  a  hat 
of  the  natural  color  of  the  fur. 

In  attending  meetings  this  singularity  was  a  trial 
to  me,  and  more  especially  at  this  time,  as  white 
hats  were  used  by  some  who  were  fond  of  following 
the  changeable  modes  of  dress,  and  as  some 
Friends  who  knew  not  from  what  motives  I  wore 
it  grew  shy  of  me,  I  felt  my  way  for  a  time  shut 
up  in  the  exercise  of  the  ministry.  In  this  con- 
dition, my  mind  being  turned  toward  my  Heavenly 
Father  with  fervent  cries  that  I  might  be  pre- 
served to  walk  before  him  in  the  meekness  of  wis- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      183 

dom,  my  heart  was  often  tender  in  meetings,  and  I 
felt  an  inward  consolation  which  to  me  was  very 
precious  under  these  difficulties. 

I  had  several  dyed  garments  fit  for  use  which  I 
believed  it  best  to  wear  till  I  had  occasion  for  new 
ones.  Some  Friends  were  apprehensive  that  my 
wearing  such  a  hat  savored  of  an  affected  singu- 
larity ;  those  who  spoke  with  me  in  a  friendly  way 
I  generally  informed,  in  a  few  words,  that  I  believed 
my  wearing  it  was  not  in  my  own  will.  I  had  at 
times  been  sensible  that  a  superficial  friendship  had 
been  dangerous  to  me ;  and  many  Friends  being 
now  uneasy  with  me,  I  had  an  inclination  to  ac- 
quaint some  with  the  manner  of  my  being  led  into 
these  things  ;  yet  upon  a  deeper  thought  I  was  for  a 
time  most  easy  to  omit  it,  believing  the  present  dis- 
pensation was  profitable,  and  trusting  that  if  I  kept 
my  place  the  Lord  in  his  own  time  would  open  the 
hearts  of  Friends  towards  me.  I  have  since  had 
cause  to  admire  his  goodness  and  loving-kindness 
in  leading  about  and  instructing  me,  and  in  opening 
and  enlarging  my  heart  in  some  of  our  meetings. 

In  the  eleventh  month  this  year,  feeling  an  en- 
gagement of  mind  to  visit  some  families  in  Mans- 
field, I  joined  my  beloved  friend  Benjamin  Jones, 
and  we  spent  a  few  days  together  in  that  service. 
In  the  second  month,  1763,  I  joined,  in  company 
with  Elizabeth  Smith  and  Mary  Noble,  in  a  visit  to 
the  families  of  Friends  at  Ancocas.  In  both  these 
visits,  through  the  baptizing  power  of  truth,  the 
sincere  laborers  were  often  comforted,  and  the 


184      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

hearts  of  Friends  opened  to  receive  us.  In  the 
fourth  month  following,  I  accompanied  some  Friends 
in  a  visit  to  the  families  of  Friends  in  Mount  Holly ; 
during  this  visit  my  mind  was  often  drawn  into  an 
inward  awfulness,  wherein  strong  desires  were 
raised  for  the  everlasting  welfare  of  my  fellow- 
creatures,  and  through  the  kindness  of  our  Heav- 
enly Father  our  hearts  were  at  times  enlarged,  and 
Friends  were  invited,  in  the  flowings  of  Divine  love, 
to  attend  to  that  which  would  settle  them  on  the 
sure  foundation. 

Having  for  many  years  felt  love  in  my  heart  to- 
wards the  natives  of  this  land  who  dwell  far  back 
in  the  wilderness,  whose  ancestors  were  formerly  the 
owners  and  possessors  of  the  land  where  we  dwell, 
and  who  for  a  small  consideration  assigned  their 
inheritance  to  us,  and  being  at  Philadelphia  in  the 
8th  month,  1761,  on  a  visit  to  some  Friends  who 
had  slaves,  I  fell  in  company  with  some  of  those 
natives  who  lived  on  the  east  branch  of  the  river 
Susquehanna,  at  an  Indian  town  called  Weha- 
loosing,  two  hundred  miles  from  Philadelphia.  In 
conversation  with  them  by  an  interpreter,  as  also 
by  observations  on  their  countenances  and  conduct, 
I  believed  some  of  them  were  measurably  acquaint- 
ed with  that  Divine  power  which  subjects  the  rough 
and  froward  will  of  the  creature.  At  times  I  felt 
inward  drawings  towards  a  visit  to  that  place,  which 
I  mentioned  to  none  except  my  dear  wife  until  it 
came  to  some  ripeness.  In  the  winter  of  1762  I 
laid  my  prospects  before  my  friends  at  our  Monthly 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       185 

and  Quarterly,  and  afterwards  at  our  General  Spring 
Meeting ;  and  having  the  unity  of  Friends,  and  be- 
ing thoughtful  about  an  Indian  pilot,  there  came  a 
man  and  three  women  from  a  little  beyond  that 
town  to  Philadelphia  on  business.  Being  informed 
thereof  by  letter,  I  met  them  in  town  in  the  5th 
month,  1763  ;  and  after  some  conversation,  finding 
they  were  sober  people,  I,  with  the  concurrence  of 
Friends  in  that  place,  agreed  to  join  them  as  com- 
panions in  their  return,  and  we  appointed  to  meet 
at  Samuel  Foulk's,  at  Richland,  in  Bucks  County, 
on  the  yth  of  sixth  month.  Now,  as  this  visit  felt 
weighty,  and  was  performed  at  a  time  when  travel- 
ling appeared  perilous,  so  the  dispensations  of  Di- 
vine Providence  in  preparing  my  mind  for  it  have 
been  memorable,  and  I  believe  it  good  for  me  to 
give  some  account  thereof. 

After  I  had  given  up  to  go,  the  thoughts  of  the 
journey  were  often  attended  with  unusual  sadness ; 
at  which  times  my  heart  was  frequently  turned  to 
the  Lord  with  inward  breathings  for  his  heavenly 
support,  that  I  might  not  fail  to  follow  him  where- 
soever he  might  lead  me.  Being  at  our  youth's 
meeting  at  Chesterfield,  about  a  week  before  the 
time  I  expected  to  set  off,  I  was  there  led  to  speak 
on  that  prayer  of  our  Redeemer  to  the  Father  :  "  I 
pray  not  that  thou  shouldest  take  them  out  of  the 
world,  but  that  thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the 
evil."  And  in  attending  to  the  pure  openings  of 
truth,  I  had  to  mention  what  he  elsewhere  said  to 
his  Father  :  "  I  know  that  thou  hearest  me  at  all 


1 86      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

times "  ;  so,  as  some  of  his  followers  kept  their 
places,  and  as  his  prayer  was  granted,  it  followed 
necessarily  that  they  were  kept  from  evil ;  and  as 
some  of  those  met  with  great  hardships  and  afflic- 
tions in  this  world,  and  at  last  suffered  death  by 
cruel  men,  so  it  appears  that  whatsoever  befalls 
men  while  they  live  in  pure  obedience  to  God  cer- 
tainly works  for  their  good,  and  may  not  be  consid- 
ered an  evil  as  it  relates  to  them.  As  I  spake  on 
this  subject  my  heart  was  much  tendered,  and  great 
awfulness  came  over  me.  On  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  being  at  our  own  afternoon  meeting,  and  my 
heart  being  enlarged  in  love,  I  was  led  to  speak  on 
the  care  and  protection  of  the  Lord  over  his  people, 
and  to  make  mention  of  that  passage  where  a  band 
of  Syrians,  who  were  endeavoring  to  take  captive 
the  prophet,  were  disappointed  ;  and  how  the  Psalm- 
ist said,  "  The  angel  of  the  Lord  encampeth  round 
about  them  that  fear  him."  Thus,  in  true  love  and 
tenderness,  I  parted  from  Friends,  expecting  the  next 
morning  to  proceed  on  my  journey.  Being  weary 
I  went  early  to  bed.  After  I  had  been  asleep  a 
short  time  I  was  awoke  by  a  man  calling  at  my 
door,  and  inviting  me  to  meet  some  Friends  at  a 
public-house  in  our  town,  who  came  from  Phila- 
delphia so  late  that  Friends  were  generally  gone  to 
bed.  These  Friends  informed  me  that  an  express 
had  arrived  the  last  morning  from  Pittsburg,  and 
brought  news  that  the  Indians  had  taken  a  fort  from 
the  English  westward,  and  had  slain  and  scalped 
some  English  people  near  the  said  Pittsburg,  and  in 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      187 

divers  places.  Some  elderly  Friends  in  Philadelphia, 
knowing  the  time  of  my  intending  to  set  off,  had 
conferred  together,  and  thought  good  to  inform  me 
of  these  things  before  I  left  home,  that  I  might 
consider  them  and  proceed  as  I  believed  best. 
Going  to  bed  again,  I  told  not  my  wife  till  morn- 
ing. My  heart  was  turned  to  the  Lord  for  his 
heavenly  instruction  ;  and  it  was  an  humbling  time 
to  me.  When  I  told  my  dear  wife,  she  appeared 
to  be  deeply  concerned  about  it ;  but  in  a  few 
hours'  time  my  mind  became  settled  in  a  belief 
that  it  was  my  duty  to  proceed  on  my  journey,  and 
she  bore  it  with  a  good  degree  of  resignation.  In 
this  conflict  of  spirit  there  were  great  searchings  of 
heart  and  strong  cries  to  the  Lord,  that  no  motion 
might  in  the  least  degree  be  attended  to  but  that 
of  the  pure  spirit  of  truth. 

The  subjects  before  mentioned,  on  which  I  had 
so  lately  spoken  in  public,  were  now  fresh  before 
me,  and  I  was  brought  inwardly  to  commit  myself 
to  the  Lord,  to  be  disposed  of  as  he  saw  best.  I 
took  leave  of  my  family  and  neighbors  in  much 
bowedness  of  spirit,  and  went  to  our  Monthly  Meet- 
ing at  Burlington.  After  taking  leave  of  Friends 
there,  I  crossed  the  river,  accompanied  by  my 
friends  Israel  and  John  Pemberton  ;  and  parting 
the  next  morning  with  Israel,  John  bore  me  com- 
pany to  Samuel  Foulk's,  where  I  met  the  before- 
mentioned  Indians ;  and  we  were  glad  to  see  each 
other.  Here  my  friend  Benjamin  Parvin  met  me, 
and  proposed  joining  me  as  a  companion,  —  we  had 


1 88      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

before  exchanged  some  letters  on  the  subject, — and 
now  I  had  a  sharp  trial  on  his  account ;  for,  as  the 
journey  appeared  perilous,  I  thought  if  he  went 
chiefly  to  bear  me  company,  and  we  should  be 
taken  captive,  my  having  been  the  means  of  draw- 
ing him  into  these  difficulties  would  add  to  my  own 
afflictions ;  so  I  told  him  my  mind  freely,  and  let 
him  know  that  I  was  resigned  to  go  alone  ;  but 
after  all,  if  he  really  believed  it  to  be  his  duty  to  go 
on,  I  believed  his  company  would  be  very  comfort- 
able to  me.  It  was,  indeed,  a  time  of  deep  exer- 
cise, and  Benjamin  appeared  to  be  so  fastened  to 
the  visit  that  he  could  not  be  easy  to  leave  me ;  so 
we  went  on,  accompanied  by  our  friends  John  Pem- 
berton  and  William  Lightfoot  of  Pikeland.  We 
lodged  at  Bethlehem,  and  there  parting  with  John, 
William  and  we  went  forward  on  the  Qth  of  the  sixth 
month,  and  got  lodging  on  the  floor  of  a  house, 
about  five  miles  from  Fort  Allen.  Here  we  parted 
with  William,  and  at  this  place  we  met  with  an 
Indian  trader  lately  come  from  Wyoming.  In  con- 
versation with  him,  I  perceived  that  many  white 
people  often  sell  rum  to  the  Indians,  which  I  believe 
is  a  great  evil.  In  the  first  place,  they  are  thereby 
deprived  of  the  use  of  reason,  and,  their  spirits  being 
violently  agitated,  quarrels  often  arise  which  end 
in  mischief,  and  the  bitterness  and  resentment  oc- 
casioned hereby  are  frequently  of  long  continuance. 
Again,  their  skins  and  furs,  gotten  through  much 
fatigue  and  hard  travels  in  hunting,  with  which  they 
intended  to  buy  clothing,  they  often  sell  at  a  low 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       189 

rate  for  more  rum,  when  they  become  intoxicated  ; 
and  afterward,  when  they  suffer  for  want  of  the 
necessaries  of  life,  are  angry  with  those  who,  for 
the  sake  of  gain,  took  advantage  of  their  weakness. 
Their  chiefs  have  often  complained  of  this  in  their 
treaties  with  the  English.  Where  cunning  people 
pass  counterfeits  and  impose  on  others  that  which 
is  good  for  nothing,  it  is  considered  as  wickedness  ; 
but  for  the  sake  of  gain  to  sell  that  which  we  know 
does  people  harm,  and  which  often  works  their  ruin, 
manifests  a  hardened  and  corrupt  heart,  and  is  an 
evil  which  demands  the  care  of  all  true  lovers  of 
virtue  to  suppress.  While  my  mind  this  evening 
was  thus  employed,  I  also  remembered  that  the 
people  on  the  frontiers,  among  whom  this  evil  is  too 
common,  are  often  poor  ;  and  that  they  venture  to 
the  outside  of  a  colony  in  order  to  live  more  inde- 
pendently of  the  wealthy,  who  often  set  high  rents 
on  their  land.  I  was  renewedly  confirmed  in  a  be- 
lief, that  if  all  our  inhabitants  lived  according  to 
sound  wisdom,  laboring  to  promote  universal  love 
and  righteousness,  and  ceased  from  every  inordi- 
nate desire  after  wealth,  and  from  all  customs  which 
are  tinctured  with  luxury,  the  way  would  be  easy  for 
our  inhabitants,  though  they  might  be  much  more 
numerous  than  at  present,  to  live  comfortably  on 
honest  employments,  without  the  temptation  they 
are  so  often  under  of  being  drawn  into  schemes  to 
make  settlements  on  lands  which  have  not  been 
purchased  of  the  Indians,  or  of  applying  to  that 
wicked  practice  of  selling  rum  to  them. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

Tenth  of  sixth  month.  —  We  set  out  early  this 
morning  and  crossed  the  western  branch  of  Dela- 
ware, called  the  Great  Lehie,  near  Fort  Allen.  The 
water  being  high,  we  went  over  in  a  canoe.  Here 
we  met  an  Indian,  had  friendly  conversation  with 
him,  and  gave  him  some  biscuit ;  and  he,  having 
killed  a  deer,  gave  some  of  it  to  the  Indians  with 
us.  After  travelling  some  miles,  we  met  several 
Indian  men  and  women  with  a  cow  and  horse,  and 
some  household  goods,  who  were  lately  come  from 
their  dwelling  at  Wyoming,  and  were  going  to  settle 
at  another  place.  We  made  them  some  small  pres- 
ents, and,  as  some  of  them  understood  English,  I 
told  them  my  motive  for  coming  into  their  country, 
with  which  they  appeared  satisfied.  One  of  our 
guides  talking  awhile  with  an  ancient  woman  con- 
cerning us,  the  poor  old  woman  came  to  my  com- 
panion and  me  and  took  her  leave  of  us  with  an 
appearance  of  sincere  affection.  We  pitched  our 
tent  near  the  banks  of  the  same  river,  having  labored 
hard  in  crossing  some  of  those  mountains  called 
the  Blue  Ridge.  The  roughness  of  the  stones  and 
the  cavities  between  them,  with  the  steepness  of 
the  hills,  made  it  appear  dangerous.  But  we  were 
preserved  in  safety,  through  the  kindness  of  Him 
whose  works  in  these  mountainous  deserts  appeared 
awful,  and  towards  whom  my  heart  was  turned 
during  this  day's  travel. 

Near  our  tent,  on  the  sides  of  large  trees  peeled 
for  that  purpose,  were  various  representations  of 
men  going  to  and  returning  from  the  wars,  and  of 


The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan.       191 

some  being  killed  in  battle.  This  was  a  path  here- 
tofore used  by  warriors,  and  as  I  walked  about 
viewing  those  Indian  histories,  which  were  painted 
mostly  in  red  or  black,  and  thinking  on  the  innu- 
merable afflictions  which  the  proud,  fierce  spirit 
produceth  in  the  world,  also  on  the  toils  and  fa- 
tigues of  warriors  in  travelling  over  mountains  and 
deserts ;  on  their  miseries  and  distresses  when  far 
from  home  and  wounded  by  their  enemies  ;  of 
their  bruises  and  great  weariness  in  chasing  one 
another  over  the  rocks  and  mountains  ;  of  the  rest- 
less, unquiet  state  of  mind  of  those  who  live  in 
this  spirit,  and  of  the  hatred  which  mutually  grows 
up  in  the  minds  of  their  children,  —  the  desire  to 
cherish  the  spirit  of  love  and  peace  among  these 
people  arose  very  fresh  in  me.  This  was  the  first 
night  that  we  lodged  in  the  woods,  and  being  wet 
with  travelling  in  the  rain,  as  were  also  our  blan- 
kets, the  ground,  our  tent,  and  the  bushes  under 
which  we  purposed  to  lay,  all  looked  discouraging ; 
but  I  believed  that  it  was  the  Lord  who  had  thus 
far  brought  me  forward,  and  that  he  would  dispose 
of  me  as  he  saw  good,  and  so  I  felt  easy.  We 
kindled  a  fire,  with  our  tent  open  to  it,  then  laid 
some  bushes  next  the  ground,  and  put  our  blankets 
upon  them  for  our  bed,  and,  lying  down,  got  some 
sleep.  In  the  morning,  feeling  a  little  unwell,  I 
went  into  the  river ;  the  water  was  cold,  but  soon 
after  I  felt  fresh  and  well.  About  eight  o'clock  we 
set  forward  and  crossed  a  high  mountain  supposed 
to  be  upward  of  four  miles  over,  the  north  side  be- 


1 92      The  Journal  of  Jo  Jin  Woolman. 

ing  the  steepest.  About  noon  we  were  overtaken  by 
one  of  the  Moravian  brethren  going  to  Wehaloos- 
ing,  and  an  Indian  man  with  him  who  could  talk 
English ;  and  we  being  together  while  our  horses 
ate  grass  had  some  friendly  conversation ;  but  they, 
travelling  faster  than  we,  soon  left  us.  This  Mora- 
vian, I  understood,  had  this  spring  spent  some 
time  at  Wehaloosing,  and  was  invited  by  some  of 
the  Indians  to  come  again. 

Twelfth  of  sixth  month  being  the  first  of  the 
week  and  a  rainy  day,  we  continued  in  our  tent, 
and  I  was  led  to  think  on  the  nature  of  the  exer- 
cise which  hath  attended  me.  Love  was  the  first 
motion,  and  thence  a  concern  arose  to  spend  some 
time  with  the  Indians,  that  I  might  feel  and  under- 
stand their  life  and  the  spirit  they  live  in,  if  haply  I 
might  receive  some  instruction  from  them,  or  they 
might  be  in  any  degree  helped  forward  by  my  fol- 
lowing the  leadings  of  truth  among  them  ;  and  as 
it  pleased  the  Lord  to  make  way  for  my  going  at  a 
time  when  the  troubles  of  war  were  increasing,  and 
when,  by  reason  of  much  wet  weather,  travelling 
was  more  difficult  than  usual  at  that  season,  I 
looked  upon  it  as  a  more  favorable  opportunity  to 
season  my  mind,  and  to  bring  me  into  a  nearer 
sympathy  with  them.  As  mine  eye  was  to  the 
great  Father  of  Mercies,  humbly  desiring  to  learn 
his  will  concerning  me,  I  was  made  quiet  and 
content. 

Our  guide's  horse  strayed,  though  hoppled,  in 
the  night,  and  after  searching  some  time  for  him 


The  Journal  of  Jo  Jin  Woolman.      193 

• 

his  footsteps  were  discovered  in  the  path  going 
back,  whereupon  my  kind  companion  went  off  in 
the  rain,  and  after  about  seven  hours  returned  with 
him.  Here  we  lodged  again,  tying  up  our  horses 
before  we  went  to  bed,  and  loosing  them  to  feed 
about  break  of  day. 

Thirteenth  of  sixth  month.  —  The  sun  appearing, 
we  set  forward,  and  as  I  rode  over  the  barren  hills  my 
meditations  were  on  the  alterations  in  the  circum- 
stances of  the  natives  of  this  land  since  the  coming 
in  of  the  English.  The  lands  near  the  sea  are  con- 
veniently situated  for  fishing ;  the  lands  near  the 
rivers,  where  the  tides  flow,  and  some  above,  are 
in  many  places  fertile,  and  not  mountainous,  while 
the  changing  of  the  tides  makes  passing  up  and 
down  easy  with  any  kind  of  traffic.  The  natives 
have  in  some  places,  for  trifling  considerations,  sold 
their  inheritance  so  favorably  situated,  and  in  other 
places  have  been  driven  back  by  superior  force ; 
their  way  of  clothing  themselves  is  also  altered 
from  what  it  was,  and  they  being  far  removed  from 
us  have  to  pass  over  mountains,  swamps,  and 
barren  deserts,  so  that  travelling  is  very  trouble- 
some in  bringing  their  skins  and  furs  to  trade  with 
us.  By  the  extension  of  English  settlements,  and 
partly  by  the  increase  of  English  hunters,  the  wild 
beasts  on  which  the  natives  chiefly  depend  for  sub- 
sistence are  not  so  plentiful  as  they  were,  and  peo- 
ple too  often,  for  the  sake  of  gain,  induce  them  to 
waste  their  skins  and  furs  in  purchasing  a  liquor 
which  tends  to  the  ruin  of  them  and  their  families. 
9  M 


IQ4      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

My  own  will  and  desires  were  now  very  much 
broken,  and  my  heart  was  with  much  earnestness 
turned  to  the  Lord,  to  whom  alone  I  looked  for 
help  in  the  dangers  before  me.  I  had  a  prospect 
of  the  English  along  the  coast  for  upwards  of  nine 
hundred  miles,  where  I  travelled,  and  their  favor- 
able situation  and  the  difficulties  attending  the 
natives  as  well  as  the  negroes  in  many  places  were 
open  before  me.  A  weighty  and  heavenly  care 
came  over  my  mind,  and  love  filled  my  heart  to- 
wards all  mankind,  in  which  I  felt  a  strong  engage- 
ment that  we  might  be  obedient  to  the  Lord  while 
in  tender  mercy  he  is  yet  calling  to  us,  and  that  we 
might  so  attend  to  pure  universal  righteousness  as 
to  give  no  just  cause  of  offence  to  the  gentiles,  who 
do  not  profess  Christianity,  whether  they  be  the 
blacks  from  Africa,  or  the  native  inhabitants  of  this 
continent.  Here  I  was  led  into  a  close  and  labori- 
ous inquiry  whether  I,  as  an  individual,  kept  clear 
from  all  things  which  tended  to  stir  up  or  were 
connected  with  wars,  either  in  this  land  or  in 
Africa  ;  my  heart  was  deeply  concerned  that  in 
future  I  might  in  all  things  keep  steadily  to  the 
pure  truth,  and  live  and  walk  in  the  plainness  and 
simplicity  of  a  sincere  follower  of  Christ.  In  this 
lonely  journey  I  did  greatly  bewail  the  spreading 
of  a  wrong  spirit,  believing  that  the  prosperous, 
convenient  situation  of  the  English  would  require  a 
constant  attention  in  us  to  Divine  love  and  wisdom, 
in  order  to  their  being  guided  and  supported  in  a 
way  answerable  to  the  will  of  that  good,  gracious, 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      195 

and  Almighty  Being,  who  hath  an  equal  regard  to 
all  mankind.  And  here  luxury  and  covetousness, 
with  the  numerous  oppressions  and  other  evils  at- 
tending them,  appeared  very  afflicting  to  me,  and  I 
felt  in  that  which  is  immutable  that  the  seeds  of 
great  calamity  and  desolation  are  sown  and  grow- 
ing fast  on  this  continent.  Nor  have  I  words  suf- 
ficient to  set  forth  the  longing  I  then  felt,  that  we 
who  are  placed  along  the  coast,  and  have  tasted 
the  love  and  goodness  of  God,  might  arise  in  the 
strength  thereof,  and  like  faithful  messengers  labor 
to  check  the  growth  of  these  seeds,  that  they  may 
not  ripen  to  the  ruin  of  our  posterity. 

On  reaching  the  Indian  settlement  at  Wyoming, 
we  were  told  that  an  Indian  runner  had  been  at 
that  place  a  day  or  two  before  us,  and  brought 
news  of  the  Indians  having  taken  an  English  fort 
westward,  and  destroyed  the  people,  and  that  they 
were  endeavoring  to  take  another;  also  that  an- 
other Indian  runner  came  there  about  the  middle 
of  the  previous  night  from  a  town  about  ten  miles 
from  Wehaloosing,  and  brought  the  news  that  some 
Indian  warriors  from  distant  parts  came  to  that 
town  with  two  English  scalps,  and  told  the  people 
that  it  was  war  with  the  English. 

Our  guides  took  us  to  the  house  of  a  very  ancient 
man.  Soon  after  we  had  put  in  our  baggage  there 
came  a  man  from  another  Indian  house  some  dis- 
tance off.  Perceiving  there  was  a  man  near  the 
door  I  went  out ;  the  man  had  a  tomahawk 
wrapped  under  his  match-coat  out  of  sight.  As 


196      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

I  approached  him  he  took  it  in  his  hand ;  I  went 
forward,  and,  speaking  to  him  in  a  friendly  way, 
perceived  he  understood  some  English.  My  com- 
panion joining  me,  we  had  some  talk  with  him  con- 
cerning the  nature  of  our  visit  in  these  parts  :  he 
then  went  into  the  house  with  us,  and,  talking  with 
our  guides,  soon  appeared  friendly,  sat  down  and 
smoked  his  pipe.  Though  taking  his  hatchet  in 
his  hand  at  the  instant  I  drew  near  to  him  had  a 
disagreeable  appearance,  I  believe  he  had  no  other 
intent  than  to  be  in  readiness  in  case  any  violence 
were  offered  to  him. 

On  hearing  the  news  brought  by  these  Indian 
runners,  and  being  told  by  the  Indians  where  we 
lodged,  that  the  Indians  about  Wyoming  expected 
in  a  few  days  to  move  to  some  larger  towns,  I 
thought,  to  all  outward  appearance,  it  would  be 
dangerous  travelling  at  this  time.  After  a  hard 
day's  journey  I  was  brought  into  a  painful  exercise 
at  night,  in  which  I  had  to  trace  back  and  view  the 
steps  I  had  taken  from  my  first  moving  in  the  visit ; 
and  though  I  had  to  bewail  some  weakness  which 
at  times  had  attended  me,  yet  I  could  not  find  that 
I  had  ever  given  way  to  wilful  disobedience.  Be- 
lieving I  had,  under  a  sense  of  duty,  come  thus  far, 
I  was  now  earnest  in  spirit,  beseeching  the  Lord  to 
show  me  what  I  ought  to  do.  In  this  great  dis- 
tress I  grew  jealous  of  myself,  lest  the  desire  of 
reputation  as  a  man  firmly  settled  to  persevere 
through  dangers,  or  the  fear  of  disgrace  from  my 
returning  without  performing  the  visit,  might  have 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      197 

some  place  in  me.  Full  of  these  thoughts,  I  lay 
great  part  of  the  night,  while  my  beloved  compan- 
ion slept  by  me,  till  the  Lord,  my  gracious  Father, 
who  saw  the  conflicts  of  my  soul,  was  pleased  to 
give  quietness.  Then  I  was  again  strengthened  to 
commit  my  life,  and  all  things  relating  thereto,  into 
his  heavenly  hands,  and  got  a  little  sleep  towards  day. 
Fourteenth  of  sixth  month.  —  We  sought  out  and 
visited  all  the  Indians  hereabouts  that  we  could 
meet  with,  in  number  about  twenty.  They  were 
chiefly  in  one  place,  about  a  mile  from  where  we 
lodged.  I  expressed  to  them  the  care  I  had  on  my 
mind  for  their  good,  and  told  them  that  true  love 
had  made  me  willing  thus  to  leave  my  family  to 
come  and  see  the  Indians  and  speak  with  them  in 
their  houses.  Some  of  them  appeared  kind  and 
friendly.  After  taking  leave  of  them,  we  went  up 
the  river  Susquehanna  about  three  miles,  to  the 
house  of  an  Indian  called  Jacob  January.  He  had 
killed  his  hog,  and  the  women  were  making  store 
of  bread  and  preparing  to  move  up  the  river.  Here 
our  pilots  had  left  their  canoe  when  they  came 
down  in  the  spring,  and  lying  dry  it  had  become 
leaky.  This  detained  us  some  hours,  so  that  we 
had  a  good  deal  of  friendly  conversation  with  the 
family  ;  and,  eating  dinner  with  them,  we  made  them 
some  small  presents.  Then  putting  our  baggage 
into  the  canoe,  some  of  them  pushed  slowly  up  the 
stream,  and  the  rest  of  us  rode  our  horses.  We 
swam  them  over  a  creek  called  Lahawahamunk, 
and  pitched  our  tent  above  it  in  the  evening.  In  a 


198      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

sense  of  God's  goodness  in  helping  me  in  my  dis- 
tress, sustaining  me  under  trials,  and  inclining  my 
heart  to  trust  in  him,  I  lay  down  in  an  humble, 
bowed  frame  of  mind,  and  had  a  comfortable  night's 
lodging. 

Fifteenth  of  sixth  month.  —  We  proceeded  for- 
ward till  the  afternoon,  when,  a  storm  appearing, 
we  met  our  canoe  at  an  appointed  place  and  stayed 
all  night,  the  rain  continuing  so  heavy  that  it  beat 
through  our  tent  and  wet  both  us  and  our  baggage. 
The  next  day  we  found  abundance  of  trees  blown 
down  by  the  storm  yesterday,  and  had  occasion 
reverently  to  consider  the  kind  dealings  of  the 
Lord,  who  provided  a  safe  place  for  us  in  a  valley 
while  this  storm  continued.  We  were  much  hin- 
dered by  the  trees  which  had  fallen  across  our  path, 
and  in  some  swamps  our  way  was  so  stopped  that 
we  got  through  with  extreme  difficulty.  I  had  this 
day  often  to  consider  myself  as  a  sojourner  in  this 
world.  A  belief  in  the  all-sufficiency  of  God  to 
support  his  people  in  their  pilgrimage  felt  comfort- 
able to  me,  and  I  was  industriously  employed  to 
get  to  a  state  of  perfect  resignation. 

We  seldom  saw  our  canoe  but  at  appointed 
places,  by  reason  of  the  path  going  off  from  the 
river.  This  afternoon  Job  Chilaway,  an  Indian 
from  Wehaloosing,  who  talks  good  English  and 
is  acquainted  with  several  people  in  and  about 
Philadelphia,  met  our  peaple  on  the  river.  Under- 
standing where  we  expected  to  lodge,  he  pushed 
back  about  six  miles,  and  came  to  us  after  night ; 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      199 

and  in  a  while  our  own  canoe  arrived,  it  being  hard 
work  pushing  up  the  stream.  Job  told  us  that  an 
Indian  came  in  haste  to  their  town  yesterday  and 
told  them  that  three  warriors  from  a  distance 
lodged  in  a  town  above  Wehaloosing  a  few  nights 
past,  and  that  these  three  men  were  going  against 
the  English  at  Juniata.  Job  was  going  down  the 
river  to  the  province-store  at  Shamokin.  Though 
I  was  so  far  favored  with  health  as  to  continue 
travelling,  yet,  through  the  various  difficulties  in 
our  journey,  and  the  different  way  of  living  from 
which  I  had  been  used  to,  I  grew  sick.  The  news 
of  these  warriors  being  on  their  march  so  near  us, 
and  not  knowing  whether  we  might  not  fall  in  with 
them,  was  a  fresh  trial  of  my  faith;  and  though, 
through  the  strength  of  Divine  love,  I  had  several 
times  been  enabled  to  commit  myself  to  the  Divine 
disposal,  I  still  found  the  want  of  a  renewal  of  my 
strength,  that  I  might  be  able  to  persevere  therein  ; 
and  my  cries  for  help  were  put  up  to  the  Lord,  who, 
in  great  mercy,  gave  me  a  resigned  heart,  in  which 
I  found  quietness. 

Parting  from  Job  Chilaway  on  the  lyth,  we  went 
on  and  reached  Wehaloosing  about  the  middle  of 
the  afternoon.  The  first  Indian  that  we  saw  was  a 
woman  of  a  modest  countenance,  with  a  Bible,  who 
spake  first  to  our  guide,  and  then  with  an  harmo- 
nious voice  expressed  her  gladness  at  seeing  us, 
having  before  heard  of  our  coming.  By  the  direc- 
tion of  our  guide  we  sat  down  on  a  log  while  he 
went  to  the  town  to  tell  the  people  we  were  come. 


2OO      The  Jotirnal  of  John  Woolman. 

My  companion  and  I,  sitting  thus  together  in  a  deep 
inward  stillness,  the  poor  woman  came  and  sat  near 
us ;  and,  great  awful  ness  coming  over  us,  we  rejoiced 
in  a  sense  of  God's  love  manifested  to  our  poor 
souls.  After  a  while  we  heard  a  conch-shell  blow 
several  times,  and  then  came  John  Curtis  and 
another  Indian  man,  who  kindly  invited  us  into 
a  house  near  the  town,  where  we  found  about  sixty 
people  sitting  in  silence.  After  sitting  with  them 
a  short  time  I  stood  up,  and  in  some  tenderness 
of  spirit  acquainted  them,  in  a  few  short  sentences, 
with  the  nature  of  my  visit,  and  that  a  concern  for 
their  good  had  made  me  willing  to  come  thus  far 
to  see  them  ;  which  some  of  them  understanding 
interpreted  to  the  others,  and  there  appeared  glad- 
ness among  them.  I  then  showed  them  my  certifi- 
cate, which  was  explained  to  them ;  and  the  Mo- 
ravian who  overtook  us  on  the  way,  being  now 
here,  bade  me  welcome.  But  the  Indians  knowing 
that  this  Moravian  and  I  were  of  different  religious 
societies,  and  as  some  of  their  people  had  encour- 
aged him  to  come  and  stay  awhile  with  them,  they 
were,  I  believe,  concerned  that  there  might  be  no 
jarring  or  discord  in  their  meetings ;  and  having,  I 
suppose,  conferred  together,  they  acquainted  me  that 
the  people,  at  my  request,  would  at  any  time  come 
together  and  hold  meetings.  They  also  told  me 
that  they  expected  the  Moravian  would  speak  in 
their  settled  meetings,  which  are  commonly  held 
in  the  morning  and  near  evening.  So  finding  lib- 
erty in  my  heart  to  speak  to  the  Moravian,  I  told 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      201 

him  of  the  care  I  felt  on  my  mind  for  the  good  of 
these  people,  and  my  belief  that  no  ill  effects  would 
follow  if  I  sometimes  spake  in  their  meetings  when 
love  engaged  me  thereto,  without  calling  them  to- 
gether at  times  when  they  did  not  meet  of  course. 
He  expressed  his  good-will  towards  my  speaking 
at  any  time  all  that  I  found  in  my  heart  to  say. 

On  the  evening  of  the  i8th  I  was  at  their  meet- 
ing, where  pure  gospel  love  was  felt,  to  the  ten- 
dering of  some  of  our  hearts.  The  interpreters 
endeavored  to  acquaint  the  people  with  what  I 
said,  in  short  sentences,  but  found  some  difficulty, 
as  none  of  them  were  quite  perfect  in  the  English 
and  Delaware  tongues,  so  they  helped  one  another, 
and  we  labored  along,  Divine  love  attending. 
Afterwards,  feeling  my  mind  covered  with  the 
spirit  of  prayer,  I  told  the  interpreters  that  I 
found  it  in  my  heart  to  pray  to  God,  and  believed, 
if  I  prayed  aright,  he  would  hear  me  ;  and  I  ex- 
pressed my  willingness  for  them  to  omit  interpreting; 
so  our  meeting  ended  with  a  degree  of  Divine  love. 
Before  the  people  went  out,  I  observed  Papunehang 
(the  man  who  had  been  zealous  in  laboring  for  a 
reformation  in  that  town,  being  then  very  tender) 
speaking  to  one  of  the  interpreters,  and  I  was  after- 
wards told  that  he  said  in  substance  as  follows  : 
"  I  love  to  feel  where  words  come  from." 

Nineteenth  of  sixth  month  and  first  of  the  week. 
—  This  morning  the  Indian  who  came  with  the  Mo- 
ravian, being  also  a  member  of  that  society,  prayed 
in  the  meeting,  and  then  the  Moravian  spake  a 
9* 


2O2      The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan. 

short  time  to  the  people.  In  the  afternoon,  my 
heart  being  filled  with  a  heavenly  care  for  their 
good,  I  spake  to  them  awhile  by  interpreters  ;  but 
none  of  them  being  perfect  in  the  work,  and  I  feeling 
the  current  of  love  run  strong,  told  the  interpreters 
that  I  believed  some  of  the  people  would  under- 
stand me,  and  so  I  proceeded  without  them  ;  and 
I  believe  the  Holy  Ghost  wrought  on  some  hearts 
to  edification  where  all  the  words  were  not  under- 
stood. I  looked  upon  it  as  a  time  of  Divine  favor, 
and  my  heart  was  tendered  and  truly  thankful  before 
the  Lord.  After  I  sat  down,  one  of  the  interpre- 
ters seemed  spirited  to  give  the  Indians  the  sub- 
stance of  what  I  said. 

Before  our  first  meeting  this  morning,  I  was  led 
to  meditate  on  the  manifold  difficulties  of  these 
Indians  who,  by  the  permission  of  the  Six  Nations, 
dwell  in  these  parts.  A  near  sympathy  with  them 
was  raised  in  me,  and,  my  heart  being  enlarged  in 
the  love  of  Christ,  I  thought  that  the  affectionate 
care  of  a  good  man  for  his  only  brother  in  affliction 
does  not  exceed  what  I  then  felt  for  that  people. 
I  came  to  this  place  through  much  trouble  j  and 
though  through  the  mercies  of  God  I  believed  that 
if  I  died  in  the  journey  it  would  be  well  with  me, 
yet  the  thoughts  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  Indian 
warriors  were,  in  times  of  weakness,  afflicting  to 
me  ;  and  being  of  a  tender  constitution  of  body, 
the  thoughts  of  captivity  among  them  were  also 
grievous ;  supposing  that  as  they  were  strong  and 
hardy  they  might  demand  service  of  me  beyond 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      203 

what  I  could  well  bear.  But  the  Lord  alone  was 
my  keeper,  and  I  believed  that  if  I  went  into  cap- 
tivity it  would  be  for  some  good  end.  Thus,  from 
time  to  time,  my  mind  was  centred  in  resignation, 
in  which  I  always  found  quietness.  And  this  day, 
though  I  had  the  same  dangerous  wilderness  be- 
tween me  and  home,  I  was  inwardly  joyful  that  the 
Lord  had  strengthened  me  to  come  on  this  visit, 
and  had  manifested  a  fatherly  care  over  me  in  my 
poor  lowly  condition,  when,  in  mine  own  eyes,  I 
appeared  inferior  to  many  among  the  Indians. 

When  the  last-mentioned  meeting  was  ended,  it 
being  night,  Papunehang  went  to  bed  ;  and  hearing 
him  speak  with  an  harmonious  voice,  I  suppose 
for  a  minute  or  two,  I  asked  the  interpreter,  who 
told  me  that  he  was  expressing  his  thankfulness  to 
God  for  the  favors  he  had  received  that  day,  and 
prayed  that  he  would  continue  to  favor  him  with 
the  same,  which  he  had  experienced  in  that  meet- 
ing. Though  Papunehang  had  before  agreed  to 
receive  the  Moravian  and  join  with  them,  he  still 
appeared  kind  and  loving  to  us. 

I  was  at  two  meetings  on  the  2oth,  and  silent  in 
them.  The  following  morning,  in  meeting,  my 
heart  was  enlarged  in  pure  love  among  them,  and 
in  short  plain  sentences  I  expressed  several  things 
that  rested  upon  me,  which  one  of  the  interpreters 
gave  the  people  pretty  readily.  The  meeting  ended 
in  supplication,  and  I  had  cause  humbly  to  acknowl- 
edge the  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord  towards  us  ; 
and  then  I  believed  that  a  door  remained  open  for 


2O4      The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan. 

the  faithful  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ  to  labor  among 
these  people.  And  now,  feeling  my  mind  at  liberty 
to  return,  I  took  my  leave  of  them  in  general  at  the 
conclusion  of  what  I  said  in  meeting,  and  we  then 
prepared  to  go  homeward.  But  some  of  their  most 
active  men  told  us  that  when  we  were  ready  to 
move  the  people  would  choose  to  come  and  shake 
hands  with  us.  Those  who  usually  came  to  meet- 
ing did  so  ;  and  from  a  secret  draught  in  my  mind 
I  went  among  some  who  'did  not  usually  go  to 
meeting,  and  took  my  leave  of  them  also.  The 
Moravian  and  his  Indian  interpreter  appeared  re- 
spectful to  us  at  parting.  This  town,  Wehaloosing, 
stands  on  the  bank  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  con- 
sists, I  believe,  of  about  forty  houses,  mostly  com- 
pact together,  some  about  thirty  feet  long  and 
eighteen  wide,  —  some  bigger,  some  less.  They 
are  built  mostly  of  split  plank,  one  end  being  set 
in  the  ground,  and  the  other  pinned  to  a  plate  on 
which  rafters  are  laid,  and  then  covered  with  bark. 
I  understand  a  great  flood  last  winter  overflowed 
the  greater  part  of  the  ground  where  the  town 
stands,  and  some  were  now  about  moving  their 
houses  to  higher  ground. 

We  expected  only  two  Indians  to  be  of  our  com- 
pany, but  when  we  were  ready  to  go  we  found  many 
of  them  were  going  to  Bethlehem  with  skins  and 
furs,  and  chose  to  go  in  company  with  us.  So 
they  loaded  two  canoes  in  which  they  desired  us  to 
go,  telling  us  that  the  waters  were  so  raised  with 
the  rains  that  the  horses  should  be  taken  by  such 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      205 

as  were  better  acquainted  with  the  fording-places. 
We,  therefore,  with  several  Indians,  went  in  the 
canoes,  and  others  went  on  horses,  there  being 
seven  besides  ours.  We  met  with  the  horsemen 
once  on  the  way  by  appointment,  and  at  night  we 
lodged  a  little  below  a  branch  called  Tankhannah, 
and  some  of  the  young  men,  going  out  a  little  before 
dusk  with  their  guns,  brought  in  a  deer. 

Through  diligence  we  reached  Wyoming  before 
night,  the  22d,  and  understood  that  the  Indians 
were  mostly  gone  from  this  place.  We  went  up  a 
small  creek  into  the  woods  with  our  canoes,  and, 
pitching  our  tent,  carried  out  our  baggage,  and 
before  dark  our  horses  came  to  us.  Next  morn- 
ing, the  horses  being  loaded  and  our  baggage  pre- 
pared, we  set  forward,  being  in  all  fourteen,  and 
with  diligent  travelling  were  favored  to  get  near 
half-way  to  Fort  Allen.  The  land  on  this  road 
from  Wyoming  to  our  frontier  being  mostly  poor, 
and  good  grass  being  scarce,  the  Indians  chose  a 
piece  of  low  ground  to  lodge  on,  as  the  best  for 
grazing.  I  had  sweat  much  in  travelling,  and,  being 
weary,  slept  soundly.  In  the  night  I  perceived  that 
I  had  taken  cold,  of  which  I  was  favored  soon  to 
get  better. 

Twenty-fourth  of  sixth  month.  —  This  day  we 
passed  Fort  Allen  and  lodged  near  it  in  the  woods. 
We  forded  the  westerly  branch  of  the  Delaware 
three  times,  which  was  a  shorter  way  than  going 
over  the  top  of  the  Blue  Mountains  called  the 
Second  Ridge.  In  the  second  time  of  fording 


206      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

where  the  river  cuts  through  the  mountain,  the  wa- 
ters being  rapid  and  pretty  deep,  my  companion's 
mare,  being  a  tall,  tractable  animal,  was  sundry 
times  driven  back  through  the  river,  being  laden 
with  the  burdens  of  some  small  horses  which  were 
thought  unable  to  come  through  with  their  loads. 
The  troubles  westward,  and  the  difficulty  for  In- 
dians to  pass  through  our  frontier,  was,  I  appre- 
hend, one  reason  why  so  many  came,  expecting 
that  our  being  in  company  would  prevent  the  out- 
side inhabitants  being  surprised.  We  reached 
Bethlehem  on  the  25th,  taking  care  to  keep  fore- 
most, and  to  acquaint  people  on  and  near  the  road 
who  these  Indians  were.  This  we  found  very 
needful,  for  the  frontier  inhabitants  were  often 
alarmed  at  the  report  of  the  English  being  killed 
by  Indians  westward.  Among  our  company  were 
some  whom  I  did  not  remember  to  have  seen  at 
meeting,  and  some  of  these  at  first  were  very  re- 
served ;  but  we  being  several  days  together,  and 
behaving  in  a  friendly  manner  towards  them,  and 
making  them  suitable  return  for  the  services  they 
did  us,  they  became  more  free  and  sociable. 

Twenty-sixth  of  sixth  month.  —  Having  carefully 
endeavored  to  settle  all  affairs  with  the  Indians 
relative  to  our  journey,  we  took  leave  of  them,  and 
I  thought  they  generally  parted  from  us  affection- 
ately. We  went  forward  to  Richland  and  had  a 
very  comfortable  meeting  among  our  friends,  it 
being  the  first  day  of  the  week.  Here  I  parted 
with  my  kind  friend  and  companion  Benjamin  Par- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      207 

vin,  and,  accompanied  by  my  friend  Samuel  Foulk, 
we  rode  to  John  Cadwallader's,  from  whence  I 
reached  home  the  next  day,  and  found  my  family 
tolerably  well.  They  and  my  friends  appeared  glad 
to  see  me  return  from  a  journey  which  they  appre- 
hended would  be  dangerous  ;  but  my  mind,  while  I 
was  out,  had  been  so  employed  in  striving  for  per- 
fect resignation,  and  had  so  often  been  confirmed 
in  a  belief,  that,  whatever  the  Lord  might  be  pleased 
to  allot  for  me,  it  would  work  for  good,  that  I  was 
careful  lest  I  should  admit  any  degree  of  selfishness 
in  being  glad  overmuch,  and  labored  to  improve  by 
those  trials  in  such  a  manner  as  my  gracious  Father 
and  Protector  designed.  Between  the  English  set- 
tlements and  Wehaloosing  we  had  only  a  narrow 
path,  which  in  many  places  is  much  grown  up  with 
bushes,  and  interrupted  by  abundance  of  trees  ly- 
ing across  it.  These,  together  with  the  mountain 
swamps  and  rough  stones,  make  it  a  difficult  road 
to  travel,  and  the  more  so  because  rattlesnakes 
abound  here,  of  which  we  killed  four.  People  who 
have  never  been  in  such  places  have  but  an  imper- 
fect idea  of  them  ;  and  I  was  not  only  taught  pa- 
tience, but  also  made  thankful  to  God,  who  thus 
led  about  and  instructed  me,  that  I  might  have  a 
quick  and  lively  feeling  of  the  afflictions  of  my 
fellow-creatures,  whose  situation  in  life  is  difficult. 


208      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

1763-1769. 

Religious  Conversation  with  a  Company  met  to  see  the  Tricks 
of  a  Juggler.  — Account  of  John  Smith's  Advice  and  of  the 
Proceedings  of  a  Committee  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  in 
1764.  —  Contemplations  on  the  Nature  of  True  Wisdom. 
—  Visit  to  the  Families  of  Friends  at  Mount  Holly,  Mans- 
field, and  Burlington,  and  to  the  Meetings  on  the  Sea- 
Coast  from  Cape  May  towards  Squan. —  Some  Account 
of  Joseph  Nichols  and  his  Followers.  —  On  the  different 
State  of  the  First  Settlers  in  Pennsylvania  who  depended 
on  their  own  Labor,  compared  with  those  of  the  Southern 
Provinces  who  kept  Negroes.  —  Visit  to  the  Northern  Parts 
of  New  Jersey  and  the  Western  Parts  of  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania ;  also  to  the  Families  of  Friends  at  Mount 
Holly  and  several  Parts  of  Maryland.  —  Further  Consid- 
erations on  keeping  Slaves,  and  his  Concern  for  having 
been  a  Party  to  the  Sale  of  One.  —  Thoughts  on  Friends 
exercising  Offices  in  Civil  Government. 

r  I  "HE  latter  part  of  the  summer,  1763,  there 
JL  came  a  man  to  Mount  Holly  who  had  pre- 
viously published  a  printed  advertisement  that  at  a 
certain  public-house  he  would  show  many  wonder- 
ful operations,  which  were  therein  enumerated.  At 
the  appointed  time  he  did,  by  sleight  of  hand,  per- 
form sundry  things  which  appeared  strange  to  the 
spectators.  Understanding  that  the  show  was  to 
be  repeated  the  next  night,  and  that  the  people 
were  to  meet  about  sunset,  I  felt  an  exercise  on 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      209 

that  account.  So  I  went  to  the  public-house  in  the 
evening,  and  told  the  man  of  the.  house  that  I  had 
an  inclination  to  spend  a  part  of  the  evening  there  ; 
with  which  he  signified  that  he  was  content.  Then, 
sitting  down  by  the  door,  I  spoke  to  the  people  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  as  they  came  together,  con- 
cerning this  show,  and  labored  to  convince  them 
that  their  thus  assembling  to  see  these  sleight-of- 
hand  tricks,  and  bestowing  their  money  to  support 
men  who,  in  that  capacity,  were  of  no  use  to  the 
world,  was  contrary  to  the  nature  of  the  Christian 
religion.  One  of  the  company  endeavored  to  show 
by  arguments  the  reasonableness  of  their  proceed- 
ings herein  ;  but  after  considering  some  texts  of 
Scripture  and  calmly  debating  the  matter  he  gave 
up  the  point.  After  spending  about  an  hour  among 
them,  and  feeling  my  mind  easy,  I  departed. 

Twenty-fifth  of  ninth  month,  1764.  —  At  our 
Yearly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia  this  day,  John 
Smith,  of  Marlborough,  aged  upwards  of  eighty 
years,  a  faithful  minister,  though  not  eloquent,  stood 
up  in  our  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders,  and,  ap- 
pearing to  be  under  a  great  exercise  of  spirit,  in- 
formed Friends  in  substance  as  follows  :  "  That  he 
had  been  a  member  of  our  Society  upwards  of  sixty 
years,  and  he  well  remembered,  that,  in  those  early 
times,  Friends  were  a  plain,  lowly-minded  people, 
and  that  there  was  much  tenderness  and  contrition 
in  their  meetings.  That,  at  twenty  years  from  that 
time,  the  Society  increasing  in  wealth  and  in  some 
degree  conforming  to  the  fashions  of  the  world, 


2io      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

true  humility  was  less  apparent,  and  their  meetings 
in  general  were  not  so  lively  and  edifying.  That 
at  the  end  of  forty  years  many  of  them  were  grown 
very  rich,  and  many  of  the  Society  made  a  specious 
appearance  in  the  world  ;  that  wearing  fine  costly 
garments,  and  using  silver  and  other  watches,  be- 
came customary  with  them,  their  sons,  and  their 
daughters.  These  marks  of  outward  wealth  and 
greatness  appeared  on  some  in  our  meetings  of 
ministers  and  elders  ;  and,  as  such  things  became 
more  prevalent,  so  the  powerful  overshadowings  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  were  less  manifest  in  the  Society. 
That  there  had  been  a  continued  increase  of  such 
ways  of  life,  even  until  the  present  time ;  and  that 
the  weakness  which  hath  now  overspread  the  So- 
ciety and  the  barrenness  manifest  among  us  is 
matter  of  much  sorrow."  He  then  mentioned 
the  uncertainty  of  his  attending  these  meetings  in 
future,  expecting  his  dissolution  was  near ;  and, 
having  tenderly  expressed  his  concern  for  us,  sig- 
nified that  he  had  seen  in  the  true  light  that  the 
Lord  would  bring  back  his  people  from  these  things, 
into  which  they  were  thus  degenerated,  but  that  his 
faithful  servants  must  go  through  great  and  heavy 
exercises. 

Twentieth  of  ninth  month.  —  The  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  Yearly  Meeting  to  visit  the  Quar- 
terly and  Monthly  Meetings  gave  an  account  in 
writing  of  their  proceedings  in  that  service.  They 
signified  that  in  the  course  of  the  visit  they  had 
been  apprehensive  that  some  persons  holding  offices 


The  Joiirnal  of  John  Woolman.      211 

in  government  inconsistent  with  our  principles,  and 
others  who  kept  slaves,  remaining  active  members 
in  our  meetings  for  discipline,  had  been  one  means 
of  weakness  prevailing  in  some  places.  After  this 
report  was  read,  an  exercise  revived  in  my  mind 
which  had  attended  me  for  several  years,  and  inward 
cries  to  the  Lord  were  raised  in  me  that  the  fear  of 
man  might  not  prevent  me  from  doing  what  he  re- 
quired of  me,  and,  standing  up,  I  spoke  in  substance 
as  follows  :  "I  have  felt  a  tenderness  in  my  mind  to- 
wards persons  in  two  circumstances  mentioned  in  that 
report ;  namely,  towards  such  active  members  as 
keep  slaves  and  such  as  hold  offices  in  civil  govern- 
ment ;  and  I  have  desired  that  Friends,  in  all  their 
conduct,  may  be  kindly  affectioned  one  towards  an- 
other. Many  Friends  who  keep  slaves  are  under 
some  exercise  on  that  account ;  and  at  times  think 
about  trying  them  with  freedom,  but  find  many 
things  in  their  way.  The  way  of  living  and  the 
annual  expenses  of  some  of  them  are  such  that  it 
seems  impracticable  for  them  to  set  their  slaves 
free  without  changing  their  own  way  of  life.  It  has 
been  my  lot  to  be  often  abroad ;  and  I  have  ob- 
served in  some  places,  at  Quarterly  and  Yearly 
Meetings,  and  at  some  houses  where  travelling 
Friends  and  their  horses  are  often  entertained, 
that  the  yearly  expense  of  individuals  therein  is 
very  considerable.  And  Friends  in  some  places 
crowding  much  on  persons  in  these  circumstances 
for  entertainment  hath  rested  as  a  burden  on  my 
mind  for  some  years  past.  I  now  express  it  in  the 


212      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

fear  of  the  Lord,  greatly  desiring  that  Friends  here 
present  may  duly  consider  it." 

In  the  fall  of  this  year,  having  hired  a  man  to 
work,  I  perceived  in  conversation  with  him  that 
he  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  late  war  on  this  conti- 
nent ;  and  he  informed  me  in  the  evening,  in  a  nar- 
rative of  his  captivity  among  the  Indians,  that  he 
saw  two  of  his  fellow-captives  tortured  to  death  in 
a  very  cruel  manner.  This  relation  affected  me 
with  sadness,  under  which  I  went  to  bed  ;  and  the 
next  morning,  soon  after  I  awoke,  a  fresh  and 
living  sense  of  Divine  love  overspread  my  mind, 
in  which  I  had  a  renewed  prospect  of  the  nature 
of  that  wisdom  from  above  which  leads  to  a  right 
use  of  all  gifts,  both  spiritual  and  temporal,  and 
gives  content  therein.  Under  a  feeling  thereof,  I 
wrote  as  follows  :  — 

"  Hath  He  who  gave  me  a  being  attended  with 
many  wants  unknown  to  brute  creatures  given  me 
a  capacity  superior  to  theirs,  and  shown  me  that  a 
moderate  application  to  business  is  suitable  to  my 
present  condition  j  and  that  this,  attended  with  his 
blessing,  may  supply  all  my  outward  wants  while 
they  remain  within  the  bounds  he  hath  fixed,  and 
while  no  imaginary  wants  proceeding  from  an  evil 
spirit  have  any  place  in  me  ?  Attend  then,  O  my 
soul !  to  this  pure  wisdom  as  thy  sure  conductor 
through  the  manifold  dangers  of  this  world. 

"  Doth  pride  lead  to  vanity  ?  Doth  vanity  form 
imaginary  wants  ?  Do  these  wants  prompt  men  to 
exert  their  power  in  requiring  more  from  others 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      213 

than  they  would  be  willing  to  perform  themselves, 
were  the  same  required  of  them  ?  Do  those  pro- 
ceedings beget  hard  thoughts  ?  Do  hard  thoughts, 
when  ripe,  become  malice  ?  Does  malice,  when  ripe, 
become  revengeful,  and  in  the  end  inflict  terrible 
pains  on  our  fellow-creatures  and  spread  desolations 
in  the  world  ? 

"  Do  mankind,  walking  in  uprightness,  delight  in 
each  other's  happiness  ?  And  do  those  who  are 
capable  of  this  attainment,  by  giving  way  to  an  evil 
spirit,  employ  their  skill  and  strength  to  afflict  and 
destroy  one  another  ?  Remember  then,  O  my  soul ! 
the  quietude  of  those  in  whom  Christ  governs,  and 
in  all  thy  proceedings  feel  after  it. 

"  Doth  he  condescend  to  bless  thee  with  his 
presence  ?  To  move  and  influence  thee  to  action  ? 
To  dwell  and  to  walk  in  thee  ?  Remember  then 
thy  station  as  a  being  sacred  to  God.  Accept  of  the 
strength  freely  offered  to  thee,  and  take  heed  that 
no  weakness  in  conforming  to  unwise,  expensive, 
and  hard-hearted  customs,  gendering  to  discord  and 
strife,  be  given  way  to.  Doth  he  claim  my  body 
as  his  temple,  and  graciously  require  that  I  may  be 
sacred  to  him  ?  O  that  I  may  prize  this  favor, 
and  that  my  whole  life  may  be  conformable  to  this 
character !  Remember,  O  my  soul  !  that  the  Prince 
of  Peace  is  thy  Lord ;  that  he  communicates  his  un- 
mixed wisdom  to  his  family,  that  they,  living  in  per- 
fect simplicity,  may  give  no  just  cause  of  offence  to 
any  creature,  but  that  they  may  walk  as  He  walked  ! " 

Having  felt  an  openness  in  my  heart  towards  vis- 


214      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

iting  families  in  our  own  meeting,  and  especially  in 
the  town  of  Mount  Holly,  the  place  of  my  abode,  I 
mentioned  it  at  our  Monthly  Meeting  in  the  fore  part 
of  the  winter  of  1764,  which  being  agreed  to,  and 
several  Friends  of  our  meeting  being  united  in  the  ex- 
ercise, we  proceeded  therein ;  and  through  Divine  fa- 
vor we  were  helped  in  the  work,  so  that  it  appeared  to 
me  as  a  fresh  reviving  of  godly  care  among  Friends. 
The  latter  part  of  the  same  winter  I  joined  my 
friend  William  Jones  in  a  visit  to  Friends'  families 
in  Mansfield,  in  which  labor  I  had  cause  to  admire 
the  goodness  of  the  Lord  toward  us. 

My  mind  being  drawn  towards  Friends  along  the 
sea-coast  from  Cape  May  to  near  Squan,  and  also 
to  visit  some  people  in  those  parts,  among  whom 
there  is  no  settled  worship,  I  joined  with  my  be- 
loved friend  Benjamin  Jones  in  a  visit  to  them, 
having  Friends'  unity  therein.  We  set  off  the  24th 
of  tenth  month,  1765,  and  had  a  prosperous  and 
very  satisfactory  journey,  feeling  at  times,  through 
the  goodness  of  the  Heavenly  Shepherd,  the  gos- 
pel to  flow  freely  towards  a  poor  people  scattered 
in  these  places.  Soon  after  our  return  I  joined 
my  friends  John  Sleeper  and  Elizabeth  Smith  in 
a  visit  to  Friends'  families  at  Burlington,  there  be- 
ing at  this  time  about  fifty  families  of  our  Society 
in  that  city  ;  and  we  had  cause  humbly  to  adore 
our  Heavenly  Father,  who  baptized  us  into  a  feel- 
ing of  the  state  of  the  people,  and  strengthened  us 
to  labor  in  true  gospel  love  among  them. 

Having  had  a  concern  at  times  for  several  years 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      215 

to  pay  a  religious  visit  to  Friends  on  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Maryland,  and  to  travel  on  foot  among 
them,  that  by  so  travelling  I  might  have  a  more 
lively  feeling  of  the  condition  of  the  oppressed 
slaves,  set  an  example  of  lowliness  before  the  eyes 
of  their  masters,  and  be  more  out  of  the  way  of 
temptation  to  unprofitable  converse ;  and  the  time 
drawing  near  in  which  I  believed  it  my  duty  to  lay 
my  concern  before  our  Monthly  Meeting,  I  per- 
ceived, in  conversation  with  my  beloved  friend  John 
Sleeper,  that  he  also  was  under  a  similar  concern 
to  travel  on  foot  in  the  form  of  a  servant  among 
them,  as  he  expressed  it.  This  he  told  me  before 
he  knew  aught  of  my  exercise.  Being  thus  drawn 
the  same  way,  we  laid  our  exercise  and  the  nature 
of  it  before  Friends  ;  and,  obtaining  certificates,  we 
set  off  the  6th  of  fifth  month,  1766,  and  were  at 
meetings  with  Friends  at  Wilmington,  Duck  Creek, 
Little  Creek,  and  Motherkill.  My  heart  was  often 
tendered  under  the  Divine  influence,  and  enlarged  in 
love  towards  the  people  among  whom  we  travelled. 
From  Motherkill  we  crossed  the  country  about 
thirty-five  miles  to  Tuckahoe,  in  Maryland,  and  had 
a  meeting  there,  and  also  at  Marshy  Creek.  At 
the  last  three  meetings  there  were  a  considerable 
number  of  the  followers  of  one  Joseph  Nichols,  a 
preacher,  who,  I  understand,  is  not  in  outward  fel- 
lowship with  any  religious  society,  but  professeth 
nearly  the  same  principles  as  those  of  oiir  Society, 
and  often  travels  up  and  down,  appointing  meetings 
which  many  people  attend.  I  heard  of  some  who 


216      The  Journal  of  Jo  Jin  Woolman. 

had  been  irreligious  people  that  were  now  his  fol- 
lowers, and  were  become  sober,  well-behaved  men 
and  women.  Some  irregularities,  I  hear,  have  been 
among  the  people  at  several  of  his  meetings ;  but 
from  what  I  have  perceived  I  believe  the  man  and 
some  of  his  followers  are  honestly  disposed,  but 
that  skilful  fathers  are  wanting  among  them. 

We  then  went  to  Choptank  and  Third  Haven, 
and  thence  to  Queen  Anne's.  The  weather  for 
some  days  past  having  been  hot  and  dry,  and  we 
having  travelled  pretty  steadily  and  having  had 
hard  labor  in  meetings,  I  grew  weakly,  at  which  I 
was  for  a  time  discouraged ;  but  looking  over  our 
journey  and  considering  how  the  Lord  had  sup- 
ported our  minds  and  bodies,  so  that  we  had  gone 
forward  much  faster  than  I  expected  before  we 
came  out,  I  saw  that  I  had  been  in  danger  of  too 
strongly  desiring  to  get  quickly  through  the  jour- 
ney, and  that  the  bodily  weakness  now  attending 
me  was  a  kindness ;  and  then,  in  contrition  of  spir- 
it, I  became  very  thankful  to  my  gracious  Father 
for  this  manifestation  of  his  love,  and  in  humble 
submission  to  his  will  my  trust  in  him  was  renewed. 

In  this  part  of  our  journey  I  had  many  thoughts 
on  the  different  circumstances  of  Friends  who  in- 
habit Pennsylvania  and  Jersey  from  those  who  dwell 
in  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Carolina.  Pennsylvania 
and  New  Jersey  were  settled  by  Friends  who  were 
convinced  of  our  principles  in  England  in  times  of 
suffering ;  these,  coming  over,  bought  lands  of  the 
natives,  and  applied  to  husbandry  in  a  peaceable 


The  Joiirnal  of  John  Woolman.      217 

way,  and  many  of  their  children  were  taught  to  la- 
bor for  their  living.  Few  of  these,  I  believe,  settled 
in  any  of  the  southern  provinces  ;  but  by  the  faith- 
ful labors  of  travelling  Friends  in  early  times  there 
was  considerable  convincement  among  the  inhabi- 
tants of  these  parts.  I  also  remembered  having 
read  of  the  warlike  disposition  of  many  of  the  first 
settlers  in  those  provinces,  and  of  their  numerous 
engagements  with  the  natives  in  which  much  blood 
was  shed  even  in  the  infancy  of  the  colonies.  Some 
of  the  people  inhabiting  those  places,  being  ground- 
ed in  customs  contrary  to  the  pure  truth,  were  af- 
fected with  the  powerful  preaching  of  the  Word  of 
Life  and  joined  in  fellowship  with  our  Society,  and 
in  so  doing  they  had  a  great  work  to  go  through. 
In  the  history  of  the  reformation  from  Popery  it  is 
observable  that  the  progress  was  gradual  from  age 
to  age.  The  uprightness  of  the  first  reformers  in 
attending  to  the  light  and  understanding  given  to 
them  opened  the  way  for  sincere-hearted  people 
to  proceed  further  afterwards ;  and  thus  each  one 
truly  fearing  God  and  laboring  in  the  works  of 
righteousness  appointed  for  him  in  his  day  findeth 
acceptance  with  Him.  Through  the  darkness  of 
the  times  and  the  corruption  of  manners  and  cus- 
toms, some  upright  men  may  have  had  little  more 
for  their  day's  work  than  to  attend  to  the  righteous 
principle  in  their  minds  as  it  related  to  their  own 
conduct  in  life  without  pointing  out  to  others  the 
whole  extent  of  that  into  which  the  same  principle 
would  lead  succeeding  ages.  Thus,  for  instance, 
10 


218      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

among  an  imperious,  warlike  people,  supported  by 
oppressed  slaves,  some  of  these  masters,  I  suppose, 
are  awakened  to  feel  and  to  see  their  error,  and 
through  sincere  repentance  cease  from  oppression 
and  become  like  fathers  to  their  servants,  showing 
by  their  example  a  pattern  of  humility  in  living,  and 
moderation  in  governing,  for  the  instruction  and 
admonition  of  their  oppressing  neighbors  ;  these, 
without  carrying  the  reformation  further,  have,  I  be- 
lieve, found  acceptance  with  the  Lord.  Such  was 
the  beginning ;  and  those  who  succeeded  them,  and 
who  faithfully  attended  to  the  nature  and  spirit 
of  the  reformation,  have  seen  the  necessity  of  pro- 
ceeding forward,  and  have  not  only  to  instruct 
others  by  their  own  example  in  governing  well,  but 
have  also  to  use  means  to  prevent  their  successors 
from  having  so  much  power  to  oppress  others. 

Here  I  was  renewedly  confirmed  in  my  mind  that 
the  Lord  (whose  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his 
works,  and  whose  ear  is  open  to  the  cries  and 
groans  of  the  oppressed)  is  graciously  moving  in 
the  hearts  of  people  to  draw  them  off  from  the  de- 
sire of  wealth  and  to  bring  them  into  such  an  hum- 
ble, lowly  way  of  living  that  they  may  see  their  way 
clearly  to  repair  to  the  standard  of  true  righteous- 
ness, and  may  not  only  break  the  yoke  of  oppres- 
sion, but  may  know  him  to  be  their  strength  and 
support  in  times  of  outward  affliction. 

We  crossed  Chester  River,  had  a  meeting  there, 
and  also  at  Cecil  and  Sassafras.  My  bodily  weak- 
ness, joined  with  a  heavy  exercise  of  mind,  was  to 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      219 

me  an  humbling  dispensation,  and  I  had  a  very 
lively  feeling  of  the  state  of  the  oppressed  ;  yet  I 
often  thought  that  what  I  suffered  was  little  com- 
pared with  the  sufferings  of  the  blessed  Jesus  and 
many  of  his  faithful  followers  ;  and  I  may  say  with 
thankfulness  that  I  was  made  content.  From  Sas- 
safras we  went  pretty  directly  home,  where  we  found 
our  families  well.  For  several  weeks  after  our  re- 
turn I  had  often  to  look  over  our  journey ;  and 
though  to  me  it  appeared  as  a  small  service,  and 
that  some  faithful  messengers  will  yet  have  more 
bitter  cups  to  drink  in  those  southern  provinces 
for  Christ's  sake  than  we  have  had,  yet  I  found 
peace  in  that  I  had  been  helped  to  walk  in  sincerity 
according  to  the  understanding  and  strength  given 
to  me. 

Thirteenth  of  eleventh  month.  — With  the  unity 
of  Friends  at  our  monthly  meeting,  and  in  company 
with  my  beloved  friend  Benjamin  Jones,  I  set  out 
on  a  visit  to  Friends  in  the  upper  part  of  this  prov- 
ince, having  had  drawings  of  love  in  my  heart  that 
way  for  a  considerable  time.  We  travelled  as  far 
as  Hardwick,  and  I  had  inward  peace  in  my  labors 
of  love  among  them.  Through  the  humbling  dis- 
pensations of  Divine  Providence  my  mind  hath 
been  further  brought  into  a  feeling  of  the  difficulties 
of  Friends  and  their  servants  southwestward  ;  and 
being  often  engaged  in  spirit  on  their  account  I  be- 
lieved it  my  duty  to  walk  into  some  parts  of  the 
western  shore  of  Maryland  on  a  religious  visit. 
Having  obtained  a  certificate  from  Friends  of  our 


22O      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

Monthly  Meeting,  I  took  leave  of  my  family  under 
the  heart-tendering  operation  of  truth,  and  on  the 
2oth  of  fourth  month,  1767,  rode  to  the  ferry  oppo- 
site to  Philadelphia,  and  thence  walked  to  William 
Home's,  at  Derby,  the  same  evening.  Next  day  I 
pursued  my  journey  alone  and  reached  Concord 
Week-Day  Meeting. 

Discouragements  and  a  weight  of  distress  had 
at  times  attended  me  in  this  lonesome  walk,  but 
through  these  afflictions  I  was  mercifully  preserved. 
Sitting  down  with  Friends,  my  mind  was  turned  to- 
wards the  Lord  to  wait  for  his  holy  leadings  ;  and 
in  infinite  love  he  was  pleased  to  soften  my  heart 
into  humble  contrition,  and  renewedly  to  strengthen 
me  to  go  forward,  so  that  to  me  it  was  a  time  of 
heavenly  refreshment  in  a  silent  meeting.  The 
next  day  I  came  to  New  Garden  Week-Day  Meet- 
ing, in  which  I  sat  in  bowedness  of  spirit,  and  be- 
ing baptized  into  a  feeling  of  the  state  of  some 
present,  the  Lord  gave  us  a  heart-tendering  season ; 
to  his  name  be  the  praise.  Passing  on,  I  was  at 
Nottingham  Monthly  Meeting,  and  at  a  meeting  at 
Little  Britain  on  first-day  ;  in  the  afternoon  several 
Friends  came  to  the  house  where  I  lodged  and  we 
had  a  little  afternoon  meeting,  and  through  the 
humbling  power  of  truth  I  had  to  admire  the  loving- 
kindness  of  the  Lord  manifested  to  us. 

Twenty-sixth  of  fourth  month. — I  crossed  the 
Susquehanna,  and  coming  among  people  in  out- 
ward ease  and  greatness,  supported  chiefly  on  the 
labor  of  slaves,  my  heart  was  much  affected,  and  in 


The  Jotirnal  of  John  Woohnan.      221 

awful  retiredness  my  mind  was  gathered  inward  to 
the  Lord,  humbly  desiring  that  in  true  resignation  I 
might  receive  instruction  from  him  respecting  my 
duty  among  this  people.  Though  travelling  on  foot 
was  wearisome  to  my  body,  yet  it  was  agreeable  to 
the  state  of  my  mind.  Being  weakly,  I  was  covered 
with  sorrow  and  heaviness  on  account  of  the  pre- 
vailing spirit  of  this  world  by  which  customs  griev- 
ous and  oppressive  are  introduced  on  the  one  hand, 
and  pride  and  wantonness  on  the  other. 

In  this  lonely  walk  and  state  of  abasement  and 
humiliation,  the  condition  of  the  church  in  these 
parts  was  opened  before  me,  and  I  may  truly  say  with 
the  Prophet,  "  I  was  bowed  down  at  the  hearing  of 
it ;  I  was  dismayed  at  the  seeing  of  it."  Under  this 
exercise  I  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Gun- 
powder, and  in  bowedness  of  spirit  I  had  to  express 
with  much  plainness  my  feelings  respecting  Friends 
living  in  fulness  on  the  labors  of  the  poor  oppressed 
negroes ;  and  that  promise  of  the  Most  High  was 
now  revived,  "I  will  gather  all  nations  and 
tongues,  and  they  shall  come  and  see  my  glory." 
Here  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  his  tasting  death 
for  every  man,  and  the  travels,  sufferings,  and 
martyrdom  of  the  Apostles  and  primitive  Chris- 
tians in  laboring  for  the  conversion  of  the  Gentiles, 
were  livingly  revived  in  me,  and  according  to  the 
measure  of  strength  afforded  I  labored  in  some 
tenderness  of  spirit,  being  deeply  affected  among 
them.  The  difference  between  the  present  treat- 
ment which  these  gentiles,  the  negroes,  receive  at 


222      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

our  hands,  and  the  labors  of  the  primitive  Christians 
for  the  conversion  of  the  Gentiles,  were  pressed 
home,  and  the  power  of  truth  came  over  us,  under 
a  feeling  of  which  my  mind  was  united  to  a  tender- 
hearted people  in  these  parts.  The  meeting  con- 
cluded in  a  sense  of  God's  goodness  towards  his 
humble,  dependent  children. 

The  next  day  was  a  general  meeting  for  worship, 
much  crowded,  in  which  I  was  deeply  engaged  in 
inward  cries  to  the  Lord  for  help,  that  I  might 
stand  wholly  resigned,  and  move  only  as  he  might 
be  pleased  to  lead  me.  I  was  mercifully  helped  to  la- 
bor honestly  and  fervently  among  them,  in  which  I 
found  inward  peace,  and  the  sincere  were  comforted. 
From  this  place  I  turned  towards  Pipe  Creek  and 
the  Red  Lands,  and  had  several  meetings  among 
Friends  in  those  parts.  My  heart  was  often  ten- 
derly affected  under  a  sense  of  the  Lord's  goodness 
in  sanctifying  my  troubles  and  exercises,  turning 
them  to  my  comfort,  and  I  believe  to  the  benefit  of 
many  others,  for  I  may  say  with  thankfulness  that 
in  this  visit  it  appeared  like  a  tendering  visitation 
in  most  places. 

I  passed  on  to  the  Western  Quarterly  Meeting 
in  Pennsylvania.  During  the  several  days  of  this 
meeting  I  was  mercifully  preserved  in  an  inward 
feeling  after  the  mind  of  truth,  and  my  public  labors 
tended  to  my  humiliation,  with  which  I  was  con- 
tent. After  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  worship 
ended,  I  felt  drawings  to  go  to  the  women's  meet- 
ing for  business,  which  was  very  full;  here  the 


The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan.      223 

humility  of  Jesus  Christ  as  a  pattern  for  us  to  walk 
by  was  livingly  opened  before  me,  and  in  treating 
on  it  my  heart  was  enlarged,  and  it  was  a  baptizing 
time.  I  was  afterwards  at  meetings  at  Concord, 
Middletown,  Providence,  and  Haddonfield,  whence 
I  returned  home  and  found  my  family  well.  A 
sense  of  the  Lord's  merciful  preservation  in  this 
my  journey  excites  reverent  thankfulness  to  him. 

Second  of  ninth  month,  1767.  —  With  the  unity 
of  Friends,  I  set  off  on  a  visit  to  Friends  in  the 
upper  part  of  Berks  and  Philadelphia  counties  ; 
was  at  eleven  meetings  in  about  two  weeks,  and 
have  renewed  cause  to  bow  in  reverence  before  the 
Lord,  who,  by  the  powerful  extendings  of  his  hum- 
bling goodness,  opened  my  way  among  Friends, 
and  I  trust  made  the  meetings  profitable  to  us. 
The  following  winter  I  joined  some  Friends  in  a 
family  visit  to  some  part  of  our  meeting,  in  which 
exercise  the  pure  influence  of  Divine  love  made  our 
visits  reviving. 

Fifth  of  fifth  month,  1768.  —  I  left  home  under 
the  humbling  hand  of  the  Lord,  with  a  certificate 
to  visit  some  meetings  in  Maryland,  and  to  proceed 
without  a  horse  seemed  clearest  to  me.  I  was  at 
the  Quarterly  Meetings  at  Philadelphia  and  Con- 
cord, whence  I  proceeded  to  Chester  River,  and, 
crossing  the  bay,  was  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  at 
West  River;  I  then  returned  to  Chester  River, 
and,  taking  a  few  meetings  in  my  way,  proceeded 
home.  It  was  a  journey  of  much  inward  waiting, 
and  as  my  eye  was  to  the  Lord,  way  was  several 


224      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

times  opened  to  my  humbling  admiration  when 
things  appeared  very  difficult  On  my  return  I  felt 
a  very  comfortable  relief  of  mind,  having  through 
Divine  help  labored  in  much  plainness,  both  with 
Friends  selected  and  in  the  more  public  meetings, 
so  that  I  trust  the  pure  witness  in  many  minds  was 
reached. 

Eleventh  of  sixth  month,  1769.  —  There  have 
been  sundry  cases  of  late  years  within  the  limits  of 
our  Monthly  Meeting,  respecting  the  exercising  of 
pure  righteousness  towards  the  negroes,  in  which  I 
have  lived  under  a  labor  of  heart  that  equity  might 
be  steadily  preserved.  On  this  account  I  have  had 
some  close  exercises  among  Friends,  in  which,  I 
may  thankfully  say,  I  find  peace.  And  as  my  medi- 
tations have  been  on  universal  love,  my  own  con- 
duct in  time  past  became  of  late  very  grievous  to 
me.  As  persons  setting  negroes  free  in  our  prov- 
ince are  bound  by  law  to  maintain  them  in  case 
they  have  need  of  relief,  some  in  the  time  of  my 
youth  who  scrupled  to  keep  slaves  for  term  of  life 
were  wont  to  detain  their  young  negroes  in  their 
service  without  wages  till  they  were  thirty  years  of 
age.  With  this  custom  I  so  far  agreed  that  being 
joined  with  another  Friend  in  executing  the  will  of 
a  deceased  Friend,  I  once  sold  a  negro  lad  till  he 
might  attain  the  age  of  thirty  years,  and  applied  the 
money  to  the  use  of  the  estate. 

With  abasement  of  heart  I  may  now  say  that 
sometimes  as  I  have  sat  in  a  meeting  with  my 
heart  exercised  towards  that  awful  Being  who  re- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      22$ 

specteth  not  persons  nor  colors,  and  have  thought 
upon  this  lad,  I  have  felt  that  all  was  not  clear  in 
my  mind  respecting  him;  and  as  I  have  attended  to 
this  exercise  and  fervently  sought  the  Lord,  it  hath 
appeared  to  me  that  I  should  make  some  restitu- 
tion ;  but  in  what  way  I  saw  not  till  lately,  when 
being  under  some  concern  that  I  might  be  resigned 
to  go  on  a  visit  to  some  part  of  the  West  Indies, 
and  under  close  engagement  of  spirit  seeking  to  the 
Lord  for  counsel  herein,  the  aforesaid  transaction 
came  heavily  upon  me,  and  my  mind  for  a  time  was 
covered  with  darkness  and  sorrow.  Under  this 
sore  affliction  my  heart  was  softened  to  receive  in- 
struction, and  I  now  first  perceived  that  as  I  had 
been  one  of  the  two  executors  who  had  sold  this 
lad  for  nine  years  longer  than  is  common  for  our 
own  children  to  serve,  so  I  should  now  offer  part 
of  my  substance  to  redeem  the  last  half  of  the  nine 
years ;  but  as  the  time  was  not  yet  come,  I  executed 
a  bond,  binding  myself  and  my  executors  to  pay  to 
the  man  to  whom  he  was  sold  what  to  candid  men 
might  appear  equitable  for  the  last  four  and  a  half 
years  of  his  time,  in  case  the  said  youth  should  be 
living,  and  in  a  condition  likely  to  provide  com- 
fortably for  himself. 

Ninth  of  tenth  month.  —  My  heart  hath  often 
been  deeply  afflicted  under  a  feeling  that  the 
standard  of  pure  righteousness  is  not  lifted  up  to 
the  people  by  us,  as  a  society,  in  that  clearness 
which  it  might  have  been,  had  we  been  as  faithful 
as  we  ought  to  be  to  the  teachings  of  Christ.  And 
10*  o 


226      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

as  my  mind  hath  been  inward  to  the  Lord,  the  pu- 
rity of  Christ's  government  hath  been  made  clear  to 
my  understanding,  and  I. have  believed,  in  the  open- 
ing of  universal  love,  that  where  a  people  who  are 
convinced  of  the  truth  of  the  inward  teachings  of 
Christ  are  active  in  putting  laws  in  execution  which 
are  not  consistent  with  pure  wisdom,  it  hath  a  neces- 
sary tendency  to  bring  dimness  over  their  minds. 
My  heart  having  been  thus  exercised  for  several 
years  with  a  tender  sympathy  towards  my  fellow- 
members,  I  have  within  a  few  months  past  expressed 
my  concern  on  this  subject  in  several  meetings  for 
discipline. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      227 

CHAPTER   X. 

1769,  1770. 

Bodily  Indisposition.  —  Exercise  of  his  Mind  for  the  Good 
of  the  People  in  the  West  Indies.  —  Communicates  to 
Friends  his  Concern  to  visit  some  of  those  Islands. — 
Preparations  to  embark.  —  Considerations  on  the  Trade 
to  the  West  Indies.  —  Release  from  his  Concern  and  re- 
turn Home.  — Religious  Engagements.  —  Sickness,  and 
Exercise  of  his  Mind  therein. 

'HpWELFTH  of  third  month,  1769.  —  Having 
JL  for  some  years  past  dieted  myself  on  account 
of  illness  and  weakness  of  body,  and  not  having 
ability  to  travel  by  land  as  heretofore,  I  was  at 
times  favored  to  look  with  awfulness  towards  the 
Lord,  before  whom  are  all  my  ways,  who  alone  hath 
the  power  of  life  and  death,  and  to  feel  thankful- 
ness raised  in  me  for  this  his  fatherly  chastisement, 
believing  that  if  I  was  truly  humbled  under  it  all 
would  work  for  good.  While  under  this  bodily 
weakness,  my  mind  was  at  times  exercised  for  my 
fellow-creatures  in  the  West  Indies,  and  I  grew 
jealous  over  myself  lest  the  disagreeableness  of  the 
prospect  should  hinder  me  from  obediently  attend- 
ing thereto ;  for,  though  I  knew  not  that  the  Lord 
required  me  to  go  there,  yet  I  believed  that  resig- 
nation was  now  called  for  in  that  respect.  Feeling 
a  danger  of  not  being  wholly  devoted  to  him,  I 
was  frequently  engaged  to  watch  unto  prayer  that  I 


228       The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

might  be  preserved  ;  and  upwards  of  a  year  having 
passed,  as  I  one  day  walked  in  a  solitary  wood,  my 
mind  being  covered  with  awfulness,  cries  were 
raised  in  me  to  my  merciful  Father,  that  he  would 
graciously  keep  me  in  faithfulness  ;  and  it  then 
settled  on  my  mind,  as  a  duty,  to  open  my  condi- 
tion to  Friends  at  our  Monthly  Meeting,  which  I 
did  soon  after,  as  follows  :  — 

"An  exercise  hath  attended  me  for  some  time 
past,  and  of  late  hath  been  more  weighty  upon  me, 
which  is,  that  I  believe  it  is  required  of  me  to  be 
resigned  to  go  on  a  visit  to  some  parts  of  the  West 
Indies."  In  the  Quarterly  and  General  Spring 
Meetings  I  found  no  clearness  to  express  anything 
further  than  that  I  believed  resignation  herein  was 
required  of  me.  Having  obtained  certificates  from 
all  the  said  meetings,  I  felt  like  a  sojourner  at  my 
outward  habitation,  and  kept  free  from  worldly  en- 
cumbrances, and  I  was  often  bowed  in  spirit  before 
the  Lord,  with  inward  breathings  to  him  that  I 
might  be  rightly  directed.  I  may  here  note  that 
the  circumstance  before  related  of  my  having,  when 
young,  joined  with  another  executor  in  selling  a 
negro  lad  till  he  might  attain  the  age  of  thirty 
years,  was  now  the  cause  of  much  sorrow  to  me ; 
and,  after  having  settled  matters  relating  to  this 
youth,  I  provided  a  sea-store  and  bed,  and  things 
for  the  voyage.  Hearing  of  a  vessel  likely  to  sail 
from  Philadelphia  for  Barbadoes,  I  spake  with  one 
of  the  owners  at  Burlington,  and  soon  after  went 
to  Philadelphia  on  purpose  to  speak  to  him  again. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      229 

He  told  me  there  was  a  Friend  in  town  who  was 
part  owner  of  the  said  vessel.  I  felt  no  inclina- 
tion to  speak  with  the  latter,  but  returned  home. 
Awhile  after  I  took  leave  of  my  family,  and,  going 
to  Philadelphia,  had  some  weighty  conversation  with 
the  first-mentioned  owner,  and  showed  him  a  writ- 
ing, as  follows  :  — 

"On  the  2$th  of  eleventh  month,  1769,  as  an 
exercise  with  respect  to  a  visit  to  Barbadoes  hath 
been  weighty  on  my  mind,  I  may  express  some  of 
the  trials  which  have  attended  me,  under  which  I 
have  at  times  rejoiced  that  I  have  felt  my  own  self- 
will  subjected. 

"  Some  years  ago  I  retailed  rum,  sugar,  and  mo- 
lasses, the  fruits  of  the  labor  of  slaves,  but  had  not 
then  much  concern  about  them  save  only  that  the 
rum  might  be  used  in  moderation  ;  nor  was  this 
concern  so  weightily  attended  to  as  I  now  believe 
it  ought  to  have  been.  Having  of  late  years  been 
further  informed  respecting  the  oppressions  too 
generally  exercised  in  these  islands,  and  thinking 
often  on  the  dangers  there  are  in  connections  of 
interest  and  fellowship  with  the  works  of  darkness 
(Eph.  v.  n),  I  have  felt  an  increasing  concern  to 
be  wholly  given  up  to  the  leadings  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  it  hath  seemed  right  that  my  small  gain 
from  this  branch  of  trade  should  be  applied  in 
promoting  righteousness  on  the  earth.  This  was 
the  first  motion  towards  a  visit  to  Barbadoes.  I 
believed  also  that  part  of  my  outward  substance 
should  be  applied  in  paying  my  passage,  if  I  went, 


230      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

and  providing  things  in  a  lowly  way  for  my  sub- 
sistence ;  but  when  the  time  drew  near  in  which  I 
believed  it  required  of  me  to  be  in  readiness,  a  dif- 
ficulty arose  which  hath  been  a  continual  trial  for 
some  months  past,  under  which  I  have,  with  abase- 
ment of  mind  from  day  to  day,  sought  the  Lord  for  in- 
struction, having  often  had  a  feeling  of  the  condition 
of  one  formerly,  who  bewailed  himself  because  the 
Lord  hid  his  face  from  him.  During  these  exer- 
cises my  heart  hath  often  been  contrite,  and  I  have 
had  a  tender  feeling  of  the  temptations  of  my  fellow- 
creatures,  laboring  under  expensive  customs  not 
agreeable  to  the  simplicity  that  '  there  is  in  Christ ' 
(2  Cor.  ii.  3),  and  sometimes  in  the  renewings  of 
gospel  love  I  have  been  helped  to  minister  to 
others. 

"  That  which  hath  so  closely  engaged  my  mind, 
in  seeking  to  the  Lord  for  instruction,  is,  whether, 
after  the  full  information  I  have  had  of  the  oppres- 
sion which  the  slaves  lie  under  who  raise  the  West 
India  produce,  which  I  have  gained  by  reading  a 
caution  and  warning  to  Great  Britain  and  her  colo- 
nies, written  by  Anthony  Benezet,  it  is  right  for 
me  to  take  passage  in  a  vessel  employed  in  the 
West  India  trade. 

"To  trade  freely  with  oppressors  without  la- 
boring to  dissuade  them  from  such  unkind  treat- 
ment, and  to  seek  for  gain  by  such  traffic,  tends,  I 
believe,  to  make  them  more  easy  respecting  their 
conduct  than  they  would  be  if  the  cause  of  univer- 
sal righteousness  was  humbly  and  firmly  attended 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      231 

to  by  those  in  general  with  whom  they  have  com- 
merce j  and  that  complaint  of  the  Lord  by  his 
prophet,  "  They  have  strengthened  the  hands  of  the 
wicked,"  hath  very  often  revived  in  my  mind.  I 
may  here  add  some  circumstances  which  occurred 
to  me  before  I  had  any  prospect  of  a  visit  there. 
David  longed  for  some  water  in  a  well  beyond  an 
army  of  Philistines  who  were  at  war  with  Israel, 
and  some  of  his  men,  to  please  him,  ventured  their 
lives  in  passing  through  this  army,  and  brought  that 
water. 

"  It  doth  not  appear  that  the  Israelites  were  then 
scarce  of  water,  but  rather  that  David  gave  way  to 
delicacy  of  taste  ;  and  having  reflected  on  the  dan- 
ger to  which  these  men  had  been  exposed,  he  con- 
sidered this  water  as  their  blood,  and  his  heart 
smote  him  that  he  could  not  drink  it,  but  he  poured 
it  out  to  the  Lord.  The  oppression  of  the  slaves 
which  I  have  seen  in  several  journeys  southward 
on  this  continent,  and  the  report  of  their  treatment 
in  the  West  Indies,  have  deeply  affected  me,  and  a 
care  to  live  in  the  spirit  of  peace  and  minister  no  just 
cause  of  offence  to  my  fellow-creatures  having  from 
time  to  time  livingly  revived  in  my  mind,  I  have  for 
some  years  past  declined  to  gratify  my  palate  with 
those  sugars. 

"  I  do  not  censure  my  brethren  in  these  things, 
but  I  believe  the  Father  of  Mercies,  to  whom  all 
mankind  by  creation  are  equally  related,  hath  heard 
the  groans  of  this  oppressed  people,  and  that  he  is 
preparing  some  to  have  a  tender  feeling  of  their 


232      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

condition.  Trading  in  or  the  frequent  use  of  any 
produce  known  to  be  raised  by  the  labor  of  those 
who  are  under  such  lamentable  oppression  hath 
appeared  to  be  a  subject  which  may  hereafter  re- 
quire the  more  serious  consideration  of  the  humble 
followers  of  Christ,  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

"  After  long  and  mournful  exercise  I  am  now 
free  to  mention  how  things  have  opened  in  my 
mind,  with  desires  that  if  it  may  please  the  Lord 
further  to  open  his  will  to  any  of  his  children  in 
this  matter  they  may  faithfully  follow  him  in  such 
further  manifestation. 

"  The  number  of  those  who  decline  the  use  of 
West  India  produce,  on  account  of  the  hard  usage 
of  the  slaves  who  raise  it,  appears  small,  even 
among  people  truly  pious ;  and  the  labors  in  Chris- 
tian love  on  that  subject  of  those  who  do  are  not 
very  extensive.  Were  the  trade  from  this  continent 
to  the  West  Indies  to  be  stopped  at  once,  I  believe 
many  there  would  suffer  for  want  of  bread.  Did 
we  on  this  continent  and  the  inhabitants  of  the 
West  Indies  generally  dwell  in  pure  righteousness, 
I  believe  a  small  trade  between  us  might  be  right. 
Under  these  considerations,  when  the  thoughts  of 
wholly  declining  the  use  of  trading-vessels  and  of 
trying  to  hire  a  vessel  to  go  under  ballast  have 
arisen  in  my  mind,  I  have  believed  that  the  labors 
in  gospel  love  hitherto  bestowed  in  the  cause  of 
universal  righteousness  have  not  reached  that 
height.  If  the  trade  to  the  West  Indies  were  no 
more  than  was  consistent  with  pure  wisdom,  I  be- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.       233 

lieve  the  passage-money  would  for  good  reasons  be 
higher  than  it  is  now ;  and  therefore,  under  deep 
exercise  of  mind,  I  have  believed  that  I  should  not 
take  advantage  of  this  great  trade  and  small  passage- 
money,  but,  as  a  testimony  in  favor  of  less  trading, 
should  pay  more  than  is  common  for  others  to  pay 
if  I  go  at  this  time." 

The  first-mentioned  owner,  having  read  the  pa- 
per, went  with  me  to  the  other  owner,  who  also 
read  over  the  paper,  and  we  had  some  solid  con- 
versation, under  which  I  felt  myself  bowed  in  rev- 
erence before  the  Most  High.  At  length  one  of 
them  asked  me  if  I  would  go  and  see  the  vessel. 
But  not  having  clearness  in  my  mind  to  go,  I  went 
to  my  lodging  and  retired  in  private  under  great 
exercise  of  mind  ;  and  my  tears  were  poured  out 
before  the  Lord  with  inward  cries  that  he  wouM 
graciously  help  me  under  these  trials.  I  believe 
my  mind  was  resigned,  but  I  did  not  feel  clearness 
to  proceed  ;  and  my  own  weakness  and  the  neces- 
sity of  Divine  instruction  were  impressed  upon  me. 

I  was  for  a  time  as  one  who  knew  not  what  to 
do  and  was  tossed  as  in  a  tempest ;  under  which 
affliction  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  "  Take  no  thought 
for  the  morrow,"  arose  livingly  before  me,  and  I 
was  favored  to  get  into  a  good  degree  of  stillness. 
Having  been  near  two  days  in  town,  I  believed  my 
obedience  to  my  Heavenly  Father  consisted  in  re- 
turning homeward ;  I  therefore  went  over  among 
Friends  on  the  Jersey  shore  and  tarried  till  the 
morning  on  which  the  vessel  was  appointed  to  sail. 


234      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

As  I  lay  in  bed  the  latter  part  of  that  night  my 
mind  was  comforted,  and  I  felt  what  I  esteemed  a 
fresh  confirmation  that  it  was  the  Lord's  will  that  I 
should  pass  through  some  further  exercises  near 
home  j  so  I  went  thither,  and  still  felt  like  a  so- 
journer  with  my  family.  In  the  fresh  spring  of 
pure  love  I  had  some  labors  in  a  private  way  among 
Friends  on  a  subject  relating  to  truth's  testimony, 
under  which  I  had  frequently  been  exercised  in 
heart  for  some  years.  I  remember,  as  I  walked  on 
the  road  under  this  exercise,  that  passage  in  Ezekiel 
came  fresh  upon  me,  "  Whithersoever  their  faces 
were  turned  thither  they  went."  And  I  was  gra- 
ciously helped  to  discharge  my  duty  in  the  fear  and 
dread  of  the  Almighty. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  it  pleased  the  Lord 
to  visit  me  with  a  pleurisy ;  and  after  I  had  lain  a 
few  days  and  felt  the  disorder  very  grievous,  I  was 
thoughtful  how  it  might  end.  I  had  of  late,  through 
various  exercises,  been  much  weaned  from  the 
pleasant  things  of  this  life  ;  and  I  now  thought  if 
it  were  the  Lord's  will  to  put  an  end  to  my  labors 
and  graciously  to  receive  me  into  the  arms  of  his 
mercy,  death  would  be  acceptable  to  me  ;  but  if  it 
were  his  will  further  to  refine  me  under  affliction, 
and  to  make  me  in  any  degree  useful  in  his  church, 
I  desired  not  to  die.  I  may  with  thankfulness  say 
that  in  this  case  I  felt  resignedness  wrought  in  me 
and  had  no  inclination  to  send  for  a  doctor,  believ- 
ing, if  it  were  the  Lord's  will  through  outward 
means  to  raise  me  up,  some  sympathizing  Friends 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      235 

would  be  sent  to  minister  to  me  ;  which  accordingly 
was  the  case.  But  though  I  was  carefully  attended, 
yet  the  disorder  was  at  times  so  heavy  that  I  had 
no  expectation  of  recovery.  One  night  in  particu- 
lar my  bodily  distress  was  great ;  my  feet  grew 
cold,  and  the  cold  increased  up  my  legs  towards 
my  body ;  at  that  time  I  had  no  inclination  to  ask 
my  nurse  to  apply  anything  warm  to  my  feet,  ex- 
pecting my  end  was  near.  After  I  had  lain  near 
ten  hours  in  this  condition,  I  closed  my  eyes,  think- 
ing whether  I  might  now  be  delivered  out  of  the 
body ;  but  in  these  awful  moments  my  mind  was 
livingly  opened  to  behold  the  church ;  and  strong 
engagements  were  begotten  in  me  for  the  everlast- 
ing well-being  of  my  fellow-creatures.  I  felt  in  the 
spring  of  pure  love  that  I  might  remain  some  time 
longer  in  the  body,  to  fill  up  according  to  my  meas- 
ure that  which  remains  of  the  afflictions  of  Christ, 
and  to  labor  for  the  good  of  the  church  ;  after 
which  I  requested  my  nurse  to  apply  warmth  to  my 
feet,  and  I  revived.  The  next  night,  feeling  a 
weighty  exercise  of  spirit  and  having  a  solid  friend 
sitting  up  with  me,  I  requested  him  to  write  what  I 
said,  which  he  did  as  follows  :  — 

"  Fourth  day  of  the  first  month,  1770,  about  five 
in  the  morning.  —  I  have  seen  in  the  Light  of  the 
Lord  that  the  day  is  approaching  when  the  man 
that  is  most  wise  in  human  policy  shall  be  the 
greatest  fool ;  and  the  arm  that  is  mighty  to  sup- 
port injustice  shall  be  broken  to  pieces  ;  the  ene- 
mies of  righteousness  shall  make  a  terrible  rattle, 


236      The  Jotirnal  of  John  Woohnan. 

and  shall  mightily  torment  one  another  ;  for  He 
that  is  omnipotent  is  rising  up  to  judgment,  and 
will  plead  the  cause  of  the  oppressed ;  and  He  com- 
manded me  to  open  the  vision."  * 

Near  a  week  after  this,  feeling  my  mind  livingly 
opened,  I  sent  for  a  neighbor,  who,  at  my  request, 
wrote  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  place  of  prayer  is  a  precious  habitation  ; 
for  I  now  saw  that  the  prayers  of  the  saints  were 
precious  incense ;  and  a  trumpet  was  given  to  me 
that  I  might  sound  forth  this  language ;  that  the 
children  might  hear  it  and  be  invited  together  to 
this  precious  habitation,  where  the  prayers  of  the 
saints,  as  sweet  incense,  arise  before  the  throne 
of  God  and  the  Lamb.  I  saw  this  habitation  to 
be  safe,  —  to  be  inwardly  quiet  when  there  were 
great  stirrings  and  commotions  in  the  world. 

"  Prayer,  at  this  day,  in  pure  resignation,  is  a 
precious  place  :  the  trumpet  is  sounded ;  the  call 
goes  forth  to  the  church  that  she  gather  to  the 
place  of  pure  inward  prayer;  and  her  habitation  is 
safe." 

*  The  reader,  who  may  be  disposed  to  regard  this  as  the 
language  of  distempered  imagination,  may  perhaps  find  a 
truer  explanation  of  it  in  the  late  civil  conflict  by  which  "  the 
arm  mighty  to  support  injustice "  has  been  "  broken  in 
pieces,"  and  in  which  it  may  be  said  the  Lord  did  "  rise 
up  to  judgment  and  plead  the  cause  of  the  oppressed." 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      237 


CHAPTER    XI. 

1772. 

Embarks  at  Chester,  with  Samuel  Emlen,  in  a  Ship  bound 
for  London.  —  Exercise  of  Mind  respecting  the  Hardships 
of  the  Sailors.  —  Considerations  on  the  Dangers  of  train- 
ing Youth  to  a  Seafaring  Life.  —  Thoughts  during  a  Storm 
at  Sea.  —  Arrival  in  London. 

HAVING  been  some  time  under  a  religious 
concern  to  prepare  for  crossing  the  seas,  in 
order  to  visit  Friends  in  the  northern  parts  of  Eng- 
land, and  more  particularly  in  Yorkshire,  after  con- 
sideration I  thought  it  expedient  to  inform  Friends 
of  it  at  our  Monthly  Meeting  at  Burlington,  who, 
having  unity  with  me  therein,  gave  me  a  certificate. 
I  afterwards  communicated  the  same  to  our  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  and  they  likewise  certified  their  con- 
currence. Some  time  after,  at  the  General  Spring 
Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders,  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  acquaint  them  with  the  religious  exercise 
which  attended  my  mind  ;  and  they  likewise  signi- 
fied their  unity  therewith  by  a  certificate,  dated  the 
24th  of  third  month,  1772,  directed  to  Friends  in 
Great  Britain. 

In  the  fourth  month  following  I  thought  the  time 
was  come  for  me  to  make  some  inquiry  for  a  suita- 
ble conveyance  ;  and  as  my  concern  was  principally 
towards  the  northern  parts  of  England,  it  seemed 


238       The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

most  proper  to  go  in  a  vessel  bound  to  Liverpool 
or  Whitehaven.  While  I  was  at  Philadelphia  de- 
liberating on  this  subject  I  was  informed  that  my 
beloved  friend  Samuel  Emlen,  junior,  intended  to 
go  to  London,  and  had  taken  a  passage  for  himself 
in  the  cabin  of  the  ship  called  the  Mary  and  Eliza- 
beth, of  which  James  Sparks  was  master,  and  John 
Head,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  one  of  the  own- 
ers ;  and  feeling  a  draught  in  my  mind  towards  the 
steerage  of  the  same  ship,  I  went  first  and  opened 
to  Samuel  the  feeling  I  had  concerning  it. 

My  beloved  friend  wept  when  I  spake  to  him,  and 
appeared  glad  that  I  had  thoughts  of  going  in  the 
vessel  with  him,  though  my  prospect  was  toward  the 
steerage  ;  and  he  offering  to  go  with  me,  we  went 
on  board,  first  into  the  cabin,  —  a  commodious 
room,  —  and  then  into  the  steerage,  where  we  sat 
down  on  a  chest,  the  sailors  being  busy  about  us. 
The  owner  of  the  ship  also  came  and  sat  down  with 
us.  My  mind  was  turned  towards  Christ,  the  Heav- 
enly Counsellor,  and  feeling  at  this  time  my  own 
will  subjected,  my  heart  was  contrite  before  him. 
A  motion  was  made  by  the  owner  to  go  and  sit  in 
the  cabin,  as  a  place  more  retired  ;  but  I  felt  easy 
to  leave  the  ship,  and,  making  no  agreement  as  to 
a  passage  in  her,  told  the  owner  if  I  took  a  passage 
in  the  ship  I  believed  it  would  be  in  the  steerage  ; 
but  did  not  say  much  as  to  my  exercise  in  that  case. 

After  I  went  to  my  lodgings,  and  the  case  was  a 
little  known  in  town,  a  Friend  laid  before  me  the 
great  inconvenience  attending  a  passage  in  the 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      239 

steerage,  which  for  a  time  appeared  very  discour- 
aging to  me. 

I  soon  after  went  to  bed,  and  my  mind  was  under 
a  deep  exercise  before  the  Lord,  whose  helping 
hand  was  manifested  to  me  as  I  slept  that  night, 
and  his  love  strengthened  my  heart.  In  the  morn- 
ing I  went  with  two  Friends  on  board  the  vessel 
again,  and  after  a  short  time  spent  therein,  I  went 
with  Samuel  Emlen  to  the  house  of  the  owner,  to 
whom,  in  the  hearing  of  Samuel  only,  I  opened 
my  exercise  in  relation  to  a  scruple  I  felt  with 
regard  to  a  passage  in  the  cabin,  in  substance  as 
follows  :  — 

"  That  on  the  outside  of  that  part  of  the  ship 
where  the  cabin  was  I  observed  sundry  sorts  of 
carved  work  and  imagery  ;  that  in  the  cabin  I  ob- 
served some  superfluity  of  workmanship  of  several 
sorts  ;  and  that  according  to  the  ways  of  men's 
reckoning,  the  sum  of  money  to  be  paid  for  a  pas- 
sage in  that  apartment  has  some  relation  to  the 
expense  of  furnishing  it  to  please  the  minds  of  such 
as  give  way  to  a  conformity  to  this  world  ;  and  that 
in  this,  as  in  other  cases,  the  moneys  received  from 
the  passengers  are  calculated  to  defray  the  cost  of 
these  superfluities,  as  well  as  the  other  expenses 
of  their  passage.  I  therefore  felt  a  scruple  with 
regard  to  paying  my  money  to  be  applied  to  such 
purposes.". 

As  my  mind  was  now  opened,  I  told  the  owner 
that  I  had,  at. several  times,  in  my  travels,  seen 
great  oppressions  on  this  continent,  at  which  my 


240      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

heart  had  been  much  affected  and  brought  into  a 
feeling  of  the  state  of  the  sufferers  ;  and  having 
many  times  been  engaged  in  the  fear  and  love  of 
God  to  labor  with  those  under  whom  the  oppressed 
have  been  borne  down  and  afflicted,  I  have  often 
perceived  that  with  a  view  to  get  riches  and  to  pro- 
vide estates  for  children,  that  they  may  live  con- 
formably to  the  customs  and  honors  of  this  world, 
many  are  entangled  in  the  spirit  of  oppression,  and 
the  exercise  of  my  soul  had  been  such  that  I  could 
not  find  peace  in  joining  in  anything  which  I  saw 
was  against  that  wisdom  which  is  pure. 

After  this  I  agreed  for  a  passage  in  the  steerage  ; 
and  hearing  that  Joseph  White  had  desired  to  see 
me,  I  went  to  his  house,  and  next  day  home,  where 
I  tarried  two  nights.  Early  the  next  morning  I 
parted  with  my  family  under  a  sense  of  the  hum- 
bling hand  of  God  upon  me,  and,  going  to  Phila- 
delphia, had  an  opportunity  with  several  of  my 
beloved  friends,  who  appeared  to  be  concerned  for 
me  on  account  of  the  unpleasant  situation  of  that 
part  of  the  vessel  in  which  I  was  likely  to  lodge. 
In  these  opportunities  my  mind,  through  the  mer- 
cies of  the  Lord,  was  kept  low  in  an  inward  waiting 
for  his  help  ;  and  Friends  having  expressed  their 
desire  that  I  might  have  a  more  convenient  place 
than  the  steerage,  did  not  urge  it,  but  appeared 
disposed  to  leave  me  to  the  Lord. 

Having  stayed  two  nights  at  Philadelphia,  1  went 
the  next  day  to  Derby  Monthly  Meeting,  where 
through  the  strength  of  Divine  love  my  heart  was 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      241 

enlarged  towards  the  youth  there  present,  under 
which  I  was  helped  to  labor  in  some  tenderness  of 
spirit.  I  lodged  at  William  Horn's  and  afterwards 
went  to  Chester,  where  I  met  with  Samuel  Emlen, 
and  we  went  on  board  ist  of  fifth  month,  1772.  As 
I  sat  alone  on  the  deck  I  felt  a  satisfactory  evidence 
that  my  proceedings  were  not  in  my  own  will,  but 
under  the  power  of  the  cross  of  Christ. 

Seventh  of  fifth  month.  —  We  have  had  rough 
weather  mostly  since  I  came  on  board,  and  the 
passengers,  James  Reynolds,  John  Till  Adams, 
Sarah  Logan  and  her  hired  maid,  and  John  Bis- 
pham,  all  sea-sick  at  times  ;  from  which  sickness, 
through  the  tender  mercies  of  my  Heavenly  Father, 
I  have  been  preserved,  my  afflictions  now  being  of 
another  kind.  There  appeared  an  openness  in  the 
minds  of  the  master  of  the  ship  and  in  the  cabin 
passengers  towards  me.  We  are  often  together  on 
the  deck,  and  sometimes  in  the  cabin.  My  mind, 
through  the  merciful  help  of  the  Lord,  hath  been 
preserved  in  a  good  degree  watchful  and  quiet,  for 
which  I  have  great  cause  to  be  thankful. 

As  my  lodging  in  the  steerage,  now  near  a  week, 
hath  afforded  me  sundry  opportunities  of  seeing, 
hearing,  and  feeling  with  respect  to  the  life  and 
spirit  of  many  poor  sailors,  an  exercise  of  soul  hath 
attended  me  in  regard  to  placing  out  children  and 
youth  where  they  may  be  likely  to  be  exampled 
and  instructed  in  the  pure  fear  of  the  Lord. 

Being  much  among  the  seamen  I  have,  from  a 
motion  of  love,  taken  sundry  opportunities  with  one 
ii  p 


242      The  Journal  of  John  Wool-man. 

of  them  at  a  time,  and  have  in  free  conversation 
labored  to  turn  their  minds  towards  the  fear  of  the 
Lord.  This  day  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  cabin, 
where  my  heart  was  contrite  under  a  feeling  of 
Divine  love. 

I  believe  a  communication  with  different  parts 
of  the  world  by  sea  is  at  times  consistent  with  the 
will  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  and  to  educate  some 
youth  in  the  practice  of  sailing,  I  believe  may  be 
right ;  but  how  lamentable  is  the  present  corrup- 
tion of  the  world  !  How  impure  are  the  channels 
through  which  trade  is  conducted  !  How  great 
is  the  danger  to  which  poor  lads  are  exposed  when 
placed  on  shipboard  to  learn  the  art  of  sailing  ! 
Five  lads  training  up  for  the  seas  were  on  board 
this  ship.  Two  of  them  were  brought  up  in  our 
Society,  and  the  other,  by  name  James  Naylor,  is  a 
member,  to  whose  father  James  Naylor,  mentioned 
in  Sewel's  history,  appears  to  have  been  uncle.  I 
often  feel  a  tenderness  of  heart  towards  these  poor 
lads,  and  at  times  look  at  them  as  though  they  were 
my  children  according  to  the  flesh. 

O  that  all  may  take  heed  and  beware  of  covetous- 
ness  !  O  that  all  may  learn  of  Christ,  who  was 
meek  and  lowly  of  heart.  Then  in  faithfully  follow- 
ing him  he  will  teach  us  to  be  content  with  food 
and  raiment  without  respect  to  the  customs  or 
honors  of  this  world.  Men  thus  redeemed  will 
feel  a  tender  concern  for  their  fellow-creatures,  and 
a  desire  that  those  in  the  lowest  stations  may  be 
assisted  and  encouraged,  and  where  owners  of  ships 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      243 

attain  to  the  perfect  law  of  liberty  and  are  doers 
of  the  Word,  these  will  be  blessed  in  their  deeds. 

A  ship  at  sea  commonly  sails  all  night,  and  the 
seamen  take  their  watches  four  hours  at  a  time. 
Rising  to  work  in  the  night,  it  is  not  commonly 
pleasant  in  any  case,  but  in  dark  rainy  nights  it  is 
very  disagreeable,  even  though  each  man  were 
furnished  with  all  conveniences.  If,  after  having 
been  on  deck  several  hours  in  the  night,  they  come 
down  into  the  steerage  soaking  wet,  and  are  so 
closely  stowed  that  proper  convenience  for  change 
of  garments  is  not  easily  come  at,  but  for  want  of 
proper  room  their  wet  garments  are  thrown  in 
heaps,  and  sometimes,  through  much  crowding, 
are  trodden  under  foot  in  going  to  their  lodgings 
and  getting  out  of  them,  and  it  is  difficult  at  times 
for  each  to  find  his  own.  Here  are  trials  for  the 
poor  sailors. 

Now,  as  I  have  been  with  them  in  my  lodge,  my 
heart  hath  often  yearned  for  them,  and  tender  de- 
sires have  been  raised  in  me  that  all  owners  and 
masters  of  vessels  may  dwell  in  the  love  of  God 
and  therein  act  uprightly,  and  by  seeking  less  for 
gain  and  looking  carefully  to  their  ways  they  may 
earnestly  labor  to  remove  all  cause  of  provocation 
from  the  poor  seamen,  so  that  they  may  neither 
fret  nor  use  excess  of  strong  drink ;  for,  indeed, 
the  poor  creatures,  in  the  wet  and  cold,  seem  to 
apply  at  times  to  strong  drink  to  supply  the  want 
of  other  convenience.  Great  reformation  is  want- 
ing in  the  world,  and  the  necessity  of  it  among 


244      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

those  who  do  business  on  great  waters  hath  at  this 
time  been  abundantly  opened  before  me. 

Eighth  of  fifth  month.  —  This  morning  the  clouds 
gathered,  the  wind  blew  strong  from  the  southeast, 
and  before  noon  so  increased  that  sailing  appeared 
dangerous.  The  seamen  then  bound  up  some  of 
their  sails  and  took  down  others,  and  the  storm  in- 
creasing they  put  the  dead-lights,  so-called,  into 
the  cabin  windows  and  lighted  a  lamp  as  at  night. 
The  wind  now  blew  vehemently,  and  the  sea 
wrought  to  that  degree  that  an  awful  seriousness 
prevailed  in  the  cabin,  in  which  I  spent,  I  believe, 
about  seventeen  hours,  for  the  cabin  passengers 
had  given  me  frequent  invitations,  and  I  thought 
the  poor  wet  toiling  seamen  had  need  of  all  the 
room  in  the  crowded  steerage.  They  now  ceased 
from  sailing  and  put  the  vessel  in  the  posture  called 
lying  to. 

My  mind  during  this  tempest,  through  the  gra- 
cious assistance  of  the  Lord,  was  preserved  in  a 
good  degree  of  resignation ;  and  at  times  I  ex- 
pressed a  few  words  in  his  love  to  my  shipmates 
in  regard  to  the  all-sufficiency  of  Him  who  formed 
the  great  deep,  and  whose  care  is  so  extensive  that 
a  sparrow  falls  not  without  his  notice  ;  and  thus  in 
a  tender  frame  of  mind  I  spoke  to  them  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  our  yielding  in  true  obedience  to  the  in- 
structions of  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  sometimes 
through  adversities  intendeth  our  refinement. 

About  eleven  at  night  I  went  out  on  the  deck. 
The  sea  wrought  exceedingly,  and  the  high,  foam- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      245 

ing  waves  round  about  had  in  some  sort  the  ap- 
pearance of  fire,  but  did  not  give  much  if  any  light. 
The  sailor  at  the  helm  said  he  lately  saw  a  corpo- 
sant at  the  head  of  the  mast.  I  observed  that  the 
master  of  the  ship  ordered  the  carpenter  to  keep 
on  the  deck ;  and,  though  he  said  little,  I  appre- 
hended his  care  was  that  the  carpenter  with  his  axe 
might  be  in  readiness  in  case  of  any  extremity. 
Soon  after  this  the  vehemency  of  the  wind  abated, 
and  before  morning  they  again  put  the  ship  under 
sail. 

Tenth  of  fifth  month.  —  It  being  the  first  day  of 
the  week  and  fine  weather,  we  had  a  meeting  in 
the  cabin,  at  which  most  of  the  seamen  were  pres- 
ent ;  this  meeting  was  to  me  a  strengthening  time. 
1 3th.  —  As  I  continue  to  lodge  in  the  steerage  I  feel 
an  openness  this  morning  to  express  something 
further  of  the  state  of  my  mind  in  respect  to  poor 
lads  bound  apprentice  to  learn  the  art  of  sailing. 
As  I  believe  sailing  is  of  use  in  the  world,  a  labor 
of  soul  attends  me  that  the  pure  counsel  of  truth 
may  be  humbly  waited  for  in  this  case  by  all  con- 
cerned in  the  business  of  the  seas.  A  pious  father 
whose  mind  is  exercised  for  the  everlasting  welfare 
of  his  child  may  not  with  a  peaceable  mind  place 
him  out  to  an  employment  among  a  people  whose 
common  course  of  life  is  manifestly  corrupt  and 
profane.  Great  is  the  present  defect  among  sea- 
faring men  in  regard  to  virtue  and  piety ;  and,  by 
reason  of  an  abundant  traffic  and  many  ships  being 
used  for  war,  so  many  people  are  employed  on  the 


246       The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

sea  that  the  subject  of  placing  lads  to  this  employ- 
ment appears  very  weighty. 

When  I  remember  the  saying  of  the  Most  High 
through  his  prophet,  "This  people  have  I  formed 
for  myself ;  they  shall  show  forth  my  praise,"  and 
think  of  placing  children  among  such  to  learn  the 
practice  of  sailing,  the  consistency  of  it  with  a 
pious  education  seems  to  me  like  that  mentioned 
by  the  prophet,  "  There  is  no  answer  from  God." 

Profane  examples  are  very  corrupting  and  very 
forcible.  And  as  my  mind  day  after  day  and  night 
after  night  hath  been  affected  with  a  sympathizing 
tenderness  towards  poor  children  who  are  put  to 
the  employment  of  sailors,  I  have  sometimes  had 
weighty  conversation  with  the  sailors  in  the  steer- 
age, who  were  mostly  respectful  to  me  and  became 
more  so  the  longer  I  was  with  them.  They  mostly 
appeared  to  take  kindly  what  I  said  to  them ;  but 
their  minds  were  so  deeply  impressed  with  the  al- 
most universal  depravity  among  sailors  that  the 
poor  creatures  in  their  answers  to  me  have  revived 
in  my  remembrance  that  of  the  degenerate  Jews  a 
little  before  the  captivity,  as  repeated  by  Jeremiah 
the  prophet,  "  There  is  no  hope." 

Now  under  this  exercise  a  sense  of  the  desire  of 
outward  gain  prevailing  among  us  felt  grievous ; 
and  a  strong  call  to  the  professed  followers  of 
Christ  was  raised  in  me  that  all  may  take  heed  lest, 
through  loving  this  present  world,  they  be  found  in 
a  continued  neglect  of  duty  with  respect  to  a  faith- 
ful labor  for  reformation. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan.     247 

To  silence  every  motion  proceeding  from  the 
love  of  money  and  humbly  to  wait  upon  God  to 
know  his  will  concerning  us  have  appeared  neces- 
sary. He  alone  is  able  to  strengthen  us  to  dig 
deep,  to  remove  all  which  lies  between  us  and  the 
safe  foundation,  and  so  to  direct  us  in  our  outward 
employments  that  pure  universal  love  may  shine 
forth  in  our  proceedings.  Desires  arising  from  the 
spirit  of  truth  are  pure  desires  ;  and  when  a  mind 
divinely  opened  towards  a  young  generation  is  made 
sensible  of  corrupting  examples  powerfully  working 
and  extensively  spreading  among  them,  how  mov- 
ing is  the  prospect !  In  a  world  of  dangers  and 
difficulties,  like  a  desolate,  thorny  wilderness,  how 
precious,  how  comfortable,  how  safe,  are  the  lead- 
ings of  Christ  the  good  Shepherd,  who  said,  "  I 
know  my  sheep,  and  am  known  of  mine  "  ! 

Sixteenth  of  sixth  month.  —  Wind  for  several 
days  past  often  high,  what  the  sailors  call  squally, 
with  a  rough  sea  and  frequent  rains.  This  last 
night  has  been  a  very  trying  one  to  the  poor  sea- 
men, the  water  the  most  part  of  the  night  running 
over  the  main-deck,  and  sometimes  breaking  waves 
came  on  the  quarter-deck.  The  latter  part  of  the 
night,  as  I  lay  in  bed,  my  mind  was  humbled  under 
the  power  of  Divine  love  j  and  resignedness  to  the 
great  Creator  of  the  earth  and  the  seas  was  renew- 
edly  wrought  in  me,  and  his  fatherly  care  over  his 
children  felt  precious  to  my  soul.  I  was  now  de- 
sirous to  embrace  every  opportunity  of  being  in- 
wardly acquainted  with  the  hardships  and  difficul- 


248      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

ties  of  my  fellow-creatures,  and  to  labor  in  his  love 
for  the  spreading  of  pure  righteousness  on  the 
earth.  Opportunities  were  frequent  of  hearing  con- 
versation among  the  sailors  respecting  the  voyages 
to  Africa  and  the  manner  of  bringing  the  deeply 
oppressed  slaves  into  our  islands.  They  are  fre- 
quently brought  on  board  the  vessels  in  chains  and 
fetters,  with  hearts  loaded  with  grief  under  the  ap- 
prehension of  miserable  slavery ;  so  that  my  mind 
was  frequently  engaged  to  meditate  on  these  things. 

Seventeenth  of  fifth  month  and  first  of  the  week. 
—  We  had  a  meeting  in  the  cabin,  to  which  the 
seamen  generally  came.  My  spirit  was  contrite  be- 
fore the  Lord,  whose  love  at  this  time  affected  my 
heart  In  the  afternoon  I  felt  a  tender  sympathy 
of  soul  with  my  poor  wife  and  family  left  behind,  in 
which  state  my  heart  was  enlarged  in  desires  that 
they  may  walk  in  that  humble  obedience  wherein 
the  everlasting  Father  may  be  their  guide  and  sup- 
port through  all  their  difficulties  in  this  world ;  and 
a  sense  of  that  gracious  assistance,  through  which 
my  mind  hath  been  strengthened  to  take  up  the 
cross  and  leave  them  to  travel  in  the  love  of  truth, 
hath  begotten  thankfulness  in  my  heart  to  our  great 
Helper. 

Twenty-fourth  of  fifth  month.  —  A  clear,  pleasant 
morning.  As  I  sat  on  deck  I  felt  a  reviving  in  my 
nature,  which  had  been  weakened  through  much 
rainy  weather  and  high  winds  and  being  shut  up 
in  a  close,  unhealthy  air.  Several  nights  of  late  I 
have  felt  my  breathing  difficult  j  and  a  little  after 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      249 

the  rising  of  the  second  watch,  which  is  about  mid- 
night, I  have  got  up  and  stood  near  an  hour  with 
my  face  near  the  hatchway,  to  get  the  fresh  air  at 
the  small  vacancy  under  the  hatch  door,  which  is 
commonly  shut  down,  partly  to  keep  out  rain  and 
sometimes  to  keep  the  breaking  waves  from  dash- 
ing into  the  steerage.  I  may  with  thankfulness  to 
the  Father  of  Mercies  acknowledge  that  in  my  pres- 
ent weak  state  my  mind  hath  been  supported  to 
bear  this  affliction  with  patience ;  and  I  have 
looked  at  the  present  dispensation  as  a  kindness 
from  the  great  Father  of  mankind,  who,  in  this  my 
floating  pilgrimage,  is  in  some  degree  bringing  me 
to  feel  what  many  thousands  of  my  fellow-creatures 
often  suffer  in  a  greater  degree. 

My  appetite  failing,  the  trial  hath  been  the 
heavier ;  and  I  have  felt  tender  breathings  in  my 
soul  after  God,  the  fountain  of  comfort,  whose  in- 
ward help  hath  supplied  at  times  the  want  of  out- 
ward convenience  ;  and  strong  desires  have  attend- 
ed me  that  his  family,  who  are  acquainted  with  the 
movings  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  may  be  so  redeemed 
from  the  love  of  money  and  from  that  spirit  in 
which  men  seek  honor  one  of  another,  that  in  all 
business,  by  sea  or  land,  they  may  constantly  keep 
in  view  the  coming  of  his  kingdom  on  earth  as  it  is 
in  Heaven,  and,  by  faithfully  following  this  safe 
guide,  may  show  forth  examples  tending  to  lead  out 
of  that  under  which  the  creation  groans.  This  day 
we  had  a  meeting  in  the  cabin,  in  which  I  was  fa- 
vored in  some  degree  to  experience  the  fulfilling  of 
11* 


250      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

that  saying  of  the  prophet,  "  The  Lord  hath  been  a 
strength  to  the  poor,  a  strength  to  the  needy  in 
their  distress  " ;  for  which  my  heart  is  bowed  in 
thankfulness  before  him. 

Twenty-eighth  fifth  month.  —  Wet  weather  of 
late  and  small  winds,  inclining  to  calms.  Our  sea- 
men cast  a  lead,  I  suppose  about  one  hundred  fath- 
oms, but  found  no  bottom.  Foggy  weather  this 
morning.  Through  the  kindness  of  the  great  Pre- 
server of  men  my  mind  remains  quiet ;  and  a  de- 
gree of  exercise  from  day  to  day  attends  me,  that 
the  pure  peaceable  government  of  Christ  may 
spread  and  prevail  among  mankind. 

The  leading  of  a  young  generation  in  that  pure 
way  in  which  the  wisdom  of  this  world  hath  no 
place,  where  parents  and  tutors,  humbly  waiting  for 
the  heavenly  Counsellor,  may  example  them  in  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  hath  for  several  days  been 
the  exercise  of  my  mind.  O,  how  safe,  how  quiet, 
is  that  state  where  the  soul  stands  in  pure  obedi- 
ence to  the  voice  of  Christ  and  a  watchful  care  is 
maintained  not  to  follow  the  voice  of  the  stranger  ! 
Here  Christ  is  felt  to  be  our  Shepherd,  and  under 
his  leading  people  are  brought  to  a  stability ;  and 
where  he  doth  not  lead  forward,  we  are  bound  in 
the  bonds  of  pure  love  to  stand  still  and  wait  upon 
him. 

In  the  love  of  money  and  in  the  wisdom  of  this 
world,  business  is  proposed,  then  the  urgency  of 
affairs  push  forward,  and  the  mind  cannot  in  this 
state  discern  the  good  and  perfect  will  of  God 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.     251 

concerning  us.  The  love  of  God  is  manifested  in 
graciously  calling  us  to  come  out  of  that  which 
stands  in  confusion  ;  but  if  we  bow  not  in  the 
name  of  Jesus,  if  we  give  not  up  those  prospects 
of  gain  which  in  the  wisdom  of  this  world  are  open 
before  us,  but  say  in  our  hearts,  "  I  must  needs  go 
on ;  and  in  going  on  I  hope  to  keep  as  near  the 
purity  of  truth  as  the  business  before  me  will  ad- 
mit of,"  the  mind  remains  entangled  and  the  shin- 
ing of  the  light  of  life  into  the  soul  is  obstructed. 

Surely  the  Lord  calls  to  mourning  and  deep  hu- 
miliation that  in  his  fear  we  may  be  instructed  and 
led  safely  through  the  great  difficulties  and  perplex- 
ities in  this  present  age.  In  an  entire  subjection 
of  our  wills  the  Lord  graciously  opens  a  way  for 
his  people,  where  all  their  wants  are  bounded  by  his 
wisdom  ;  and  here  we  experience  the  substance  of 
what  Moses  the  prophet  figured  out  in  the  water 
of  separation  as  a  purification  from  sin. 

Esau  is  mentioned  as  a  child  red  all  over  like  a 
hairy  garment.  In  Esau  is  represented  the  natural 
will  of  man.  In  preparing  the  water  of  separation 
a  red  heifer  without  blemish,  on  which  there  had 
been  no  yoke,  was  to  be  slain  and  her  blood  sprin- 
kled by  the  priest  seven  times  towards  the  taberna- 
cle of  the  congregation  ;  then  her  skin,  her  flesh, 
and  all  pertaining  to  her,  was  to  be  burnt  without 
the  camp,  and  of  her  ashes  the  water  was  prepared. 
Thus,  the  crucifying  of  the  old  man,  or  natural  will, 
is  represented  ;  and  hence  comes  a  separation  from 
that  carnal  mind  which  is  death.  ' '  He  who  touch- 


252      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

eth  the  dead  body  of  a  man  and  purifieth  not  him- 
self with  the  water  of  separation,  defileth  the  tab- 
ernacle of  the  Lord ;  he  is  unclean."  (Num.  xix. 

13.)   . 

If  any  through  the  love  of  gain  engage  in  busi- 
ness wherein  they  dwell  as  among  the  tombs  and 
touch  the  bodies  of  those  who  are  dead  should 
through  the  infinite  love  of  God  feel  the  power  of 
the  cross  of  Christ  to  crucify  them  to  the  world, 
and  therein  learn  humbly  to  follow  the  divine 
Leader,  here  is  the  judgment  of  this  world,  here  the 
prince  of  this  world  is  cast  out.  The  water  of  sep- 
aration is  felt ;  and  though  we  have  been  among 
the  slain,  and  through  the  desire  of  gain  have 
touched  the  dead  body  of  a  man,  yet  in  the  puri- 
fying love  of  Christ  we  are  washed  in  the  water 
of  separation  ;  we  are  brought  off  from  that  busi- 
ness, from  that  gain  and  from  that  fellowship  which 
is  not  agreeable  to  his  holy  will.  I  have  felt  a  re- 
newed confirmation  in  the  time  of  this  voyage,  that 
the  Lord,  in  his  infinite  love,  is  calling  to  his  visited 
children  so  to  give  up  all  outward  possessions  and 
means  of  getting  treasures,  that  his  Holy  Spirit  may 
have  free  course  in  their  hearts  and  direct  them  in 
all  their  proceedings.  To  feel  the  substance  pointed 
at  in  this  figure  man  must  know  death  as  to  his 
own  will. 

"  No  man  can  see  God  and  live."  This  was 
spoken  by  the  Almighty  to  Moses  the  prophet  and 
opened  by  our  blessed  Redeemer.  As  death  comes 
on  our  own  wills,  and  a  new  life  is  formed  in  us, 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      253 

the  heart  is  purified  and  prepared  to  understand 
clearly,  "  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they 
shall  see  God."  In  purity  of  heart  the  mind  is 
divinely  opened  to  behold  the  nature  of  universal 
righteousness,  or  the  righteousness  of  the  kingdom 
of  God.  "  No  man  hath  seen  the  Father  save  he 
that  is  of  God,  he  hath  seen  the  Father." 

The  natural  mind  is  active  about  the  things  of 
this  life,  and  in  this  natural  activity  business  is 
proposed  and  a  will  is  formed  in  us  to  go  forward 
in  it.  And  so  long  as  this  natural  will  remains 
unsubjected,  so  long  there  remains  an  obstruction 
to  the  clearness  of  Divine  light  operating  in  us ; 
but  when  we  love  God  with  all  our  heart  and  with 
all  our  strength,  in  this  love  we  love  our  neighbor 
as  ourselves ;  and  a  tenderness  of  heart  is  felt  to- 
wards all  people  for  whom  Christ  died,  even  those 
who,  as  to  outward  circumstances,  may  be  to  us  as 
the  Jews  were  to  the  Samaritans.  "Who  is  my 
neighbor  ? "  See  this  question  answered  by  our 
Saviour,  Luke  x.  30.  In  this  love  we  can  say  that 
Jesus  is  the  Lord ;  and  in  this  reformation  in  our 
souls,  manifested  in  a  full  reformation  of  our  lives, 
wherein  all  things  are  new,  and  all  things  are  of 
God  (2  Cor.  v.  1 8),  the  desire  of  gain  is  subjected. 

When  employment  is  honestly  followed  in  the 
light  of  truth,  and  people  become  diligent  in  busi- 
ness, "  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord  "  (Rom. 
xii.  n),  the  meaning  of  the  name  is  opened  to  us  : 
"  This  is  the  name  by  which  he  shall  be  called, 
THE  LORD  OUR  RIGHTEOUSNESS."  (Jer. 


254      The  Jotirnal  of  John  Woolman. 

xxiii.  6.)  O,  how  precious  is  this  name  !  it  is  like 
ointment  poured  out.  The  chaste  virgins  are  in 
love  with  the  Redeemer ;  and  for  promoting  his 
peaceable  kingdom  in  the  world  are  content  to 
endure  hardness  like  good  soldiers ;  and  are  so 
separated  in  spirit  from  the  desire  of  riches,  that  in 
their  employments  they  become  extensively  careful 
to  give  no  offence,  either  to  Jew  or  Heathen,  or  to 
the  church  of  Christ. 

Thirty-first  of  fifth  month  and  first  of  the  week. 
— We  had  a  meeting  in  the  cabin,  with  nearly  all 
the  ship's  company,  the  whole  being  near  thirty. 
In  this  meeting  the  Lord  in  mercy  favored  us  with 
the  extending  of  his  love. 

Second  of  sixth  month.  —  Last  evening  the  sea- 
men found  bottom  at  about  seventy  fathoms.  This 
morning,  a  fair  wind  and  pleasant.  I  sat  on  deck  ; 
my  heart  was  overcome  with  the  love  of  Christ,  and 
melted  into  contrition  before  him.  In  this  state 
the  prospect  of  that  work  to  which  I  found  my 
mind  drawn  when  in  my  native  land  being,  in  some 
degree,  opened  before  me,  I  felt  like  a  little  child  ; 
and  my  cries  were  put  up  to  my  Heavenly  Father 
for  preservation,  that  in  an  humble  dependence  on 
him  my  soul  might  be  strengthened  in  his  love 
and  kept  inwardly  waiting  for  his  counsel.  This 
afternoon  we  saw  that  part  of  England  called  the 
Lizard. 

Some  fowls  yet  remained  of  those  the  passengers 
took  for  their  sea-store.  I  believe  about  fourteen 
perished  in  the  storms  at  sea,  by  the  waves  break- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      255 

ing  over  the  quarter-deck,  and  a  considerable  num- 
ber with  sickness  at  different  times.  I  observed 
the  cocks  crew  as  we  came  down  the  Delaware, 
and  while  we  were  near  the  land,  but  afterwards  I 
think  I  did  not  hear  one  of  them  crow  till  we  came 
near  the  English  coast,  when  they  again  crowed  a 
few  times.  In  observing  their  dull  appearance  at 
sea,  and  the  pining  sickness  of  some  of  them,  I 
often  remembered  the  Fountain  of  goodness,  who 
gave  being  to  all  creatures,  and  whose  love  extends 
to  caring  for  the  sparrows.  I  believe  where  the 
love  of  God  is  verily  perfected,  and  the  true  spirit 
of  government  watchfully  attended  to,  a  tenderness 
towards  all  creatures  made  subject  to  us  will  be 
experienced,  and  a  care  felt  in  us  that  we  do  not 
lessen  that  sweetness  of  life  in  the  animal  creation 
which  the  great  Creator  intends  for  them  under  our 
government. 

Fourth  of  sixth  month.  —  Wet  weather,  high 
winds,  and  so  dark  that  we  could  see  but  a  little 
way.  I  perceived  our  seamen  were  apprehen- 
sive of  the  danger  of  missing  the  channel,  which  I 
understood  was  narrow.  In  a  while  it  grew  lighter, 
and  they  saw  the  land  and  knew  where  we  were. 
Thus  the  Father  of  Mercies  was  pleased  to  try  us 
with  the  sight  of  dangers,  and  then  graciously,  from 
time  to  time,  deliver  us  from  them ;  thus  sparing 
our  lives,  that  in  humility  and  reverence  we  might 
walk  before  him  and  put  our  trust  in  him.  About 
noon  a  pilot  came  off  from  Dover,  where  my  be- 
loved friend  Samuel  Emlen  went  on  shore  and 


256      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

thence  to  London,  about  seventy-two  miles  by 
land ;  but  I  felt  easy  in  staying  in  the  ship. 

Seventh  of  sixth  month  and  first  of  the  week.  — 
A  clear  morning  :  we  lay  at  anchor  for  the  tide, 
and  had  a  parting  meeting  with  the  ship's  company, 
in  which  my  heart  was  enlarged  in  a  fervent  con- 
cern for  them,  that  they  may  come  to  experience 
salvation  through  Christ.  Had  a  head-wind  up  the 
Thames  ;  lay  sometimes  at  anchor ;  saw  many  ships 
passing,  and  some  at  anchor  near  ;  and  I  had  large 
opportunity  of  feeling  the  spirit  in  which  the  poor 
bewildered  sailors  too  generally  live.  That  lament- 
able degeneracy  which  so  much  prevails  in  the  peo- 
ple employed  on  the  seas  so  affected  my  heart  that 
I  cannot  easily  convey  the  feeling  I  had  to  another. 

The  present  state  of  the  seafaring  life  in  general 
appears  so  opposite  to  that  of  a  pious  education, 
so  full  of  corruption  and  extreme  alienation  from 
God,  so  full  of  the  most  dangerous  examples  to 
young  people  that  in  looking  towards  a  young 
generation  I  feel  a  care  for  them,  that  they  may 
have  an  education  different  from  the  present  one 
of  lads  at  sea,  and  that  all  of  us  who  are  acquainted 
with  the  pure  gospel  spirit  may  lay  this  case  to 
heart,  may  remember  the  lamentable  corruptions 
which  attend  the  conveyance  of  merchandise  across 
the  seas,  and  so  abide  in  the  love  of  Christ  that, 
being  delivered  from  the  entangling  expenses  of  a 
curious,  delicate,  and  luxurious  life,  we  may  learn 
contentment  with  a  little,  and  promote  the  seafar- 
ing life  no  further  than  that  spirit  which  leads  into 
all  truth  attends  us  in  our  proceedings. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      257 

CHAPTER    XII. 

1772. 

Attends  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London.  —  Then  proceeds 
towards  Yorkshire.  —  Visits  Quarterly  and  other  Meetings 
in  the  Counties  of  Hertford,  Warwick,  Oxford,  Notting- 
ham, York,  and  Westmoreland.  —  Returns  to  Yorkshire. 
—  Instructive  Observations  and  Letters.  —  Hears  of  the 
Decease  of  William  Hunt.  —  Some  Account  of  him.  —  The 
Author's  Last  Illness  and  Death  at  York. 

ON  the  8th  of  sixth  month,  1772,  we  landed  at 
London,  and  I  went  straightway  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders,  which  had  been 
gathered,  I  suppose,  about  half  an  hour.* 

*  There  is  a  story  told  of  his  first  appearance  in  England 
which  I  have  from  my  friend,  William  J.  Allinson,  editor  of 
the  Friends'  Review,  and  which  he  assures  me  is  well  au- 
thenticated. The  vessel  reached  London  on  the  morning  of 
the  fifth  day  of  the  week,  and  John  Woolman,  knowing  that 
the  meeting  was  then  in  session,  lost  no  time  in  reaching  it. 
Coming  in  late  and  unannounced,  his  peculiar  dress  and 
manner  excited  attention  and  apprehension  that  he  was  an 
itinerant  enthusiast.  He  presented  his  certificate  from 
Friends  in  America,  but  the  dissatisfaction  still  remained, 
and  some  one  remarked  that  perhaps  the  stranger  Friend 
might  feel  that  his  dedication  of  himself  to  this  apprehended 
service  was  accepted,  without  further  labor,  and  that  he 
might  now  feel  free  to  return  to  his  home.  John  Woolman 
sat  silent  for  a  space,  seeking  the  unerring  counsel  of  Divine 
Wisdom.  He  was  profoundly  affected  by  the  unfavorable  re- 
ception he  met  with,  and  his  tears  flowed  freely.  In  the 

Q 


258      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

In  this  meeting  my  mind  was  humbly  contrite. 
In  the  afternoon  the  meeting  for  business  was 
opened,  which  by  adjournments  held  near  a  week. 
In  these  meetings  I  often  felt  a  living  concern 
for  the  establishment  of  Friends  in  the  pure  life 
of  truth.  My  heart  was  enlarged  in  the  meet- 
ings of  ministers,  that  for  business,  and  in  several 
meetings  for  public  worship,  and  I  felt  my  mind 
united  in  true  love  to  the  faithful  laborers  now 
gathered  at  this  Yearly  Meeting.  On  the  i5th  I 
went  to  a  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Hertford. 

First  of  seventh  month.  —  I  have  been  at  Quarterly 
Meetings  at  Sherrington,  Northampton,  Banbury, 
and  Shipton,  and  have  had  sundry  meetings  be- 
tween. My  mind  hath  been  bowed  under  a  sense 


love  of  Christ  and  his  fellow-men  he  had,  at  a  painful  sacri- 
fice, taken  his  life  in  his  hands,  and  left  behind  the  peace  and 
endearments  of  home.  That  love  still  flowed  out  toward  the 
people  of  England ;  must  it  henceforth  be  pent  up  in  his  own 
heart  ?  He  rose  at  last,  and  stated  that  he  could  not  feel 
himself  released  from  his  prospect  of  labor  in  England.  Yet 
he  could  not  travel  in  the  ministry  without  the  unity  of 
Friends  ;  and  while  that  was  withheld  he  could  not  feel  easy 
to  be  of  any  cost  to  them.  He  could  not  go  back  as  had 
been  suggested ;  but  he  was  acquainted  with  a  mechanical 
trade,  and  while  the  impediment  to  his  services  continued  he 
hoped  Friends  would  be  kindly  willing  to  employ  him  in 
such  business  as  he  was  capable  of,  that  he  might  not  be 
chargeable  to  any. 

A  deep  silence  prevailed  over  the  assembly,  many  of  whom 
were  touched  by  the  wise  simplicity  of  the  stranger's  words 
and  manner.  After  a  season  of  waiting,  John  Woolman  felt 
that  words  were  given  him  to  utter  as  a  minister  of  Christ. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      259 

of  Divine  goodness  manifested  among  us  ;  my  heart 
hath  been  often  enlarged  in  true  love,  both  among 
ministers  and  elders  and  in  public  meetings,  and 
through  the  Lord's  goodness  I  believe  it  hath 
been  a  fresh  visitation  to  many,  in  particular  to  the 
youth. 

Seventeenth.  —  I  was  this  day  at  Birmingham ;  I 
have  been  at  meetings  at  Coventry,  Warwick,  in 
Oxfordshire,  and  sundry  other  places,  and  have  felt 
the  humbling  hand  of  the  Lord  upon  me ;  but 
through  his  tender  mercies  I  find  peace  in  the 
labors  I  have  gone  through. 

Twenty-sixth.  —  I  have  continued  travelling 
northward,  visiting  meetings.  Was  this  day  at 
Nottingham  ;  the  forenoon  meeting  was  especially, 

The  spirit  of  his  Master  bore  witness  to  them  in  the  hearts 
of  his  hearers.  When  he  closed,  the  Friend  who  had  advised 
against  his  further  service  rose  up  and  humbly  confessed  his 
error,  and  avowed  his  full  unity  with  the  stranger.  All  doubt 
was  removed  ;  there  was  a  general  expression  of  unity  and 
sympathy,  and  John  Woolman,  owned  by  his  brethren, 
passed  on  to  his  work. 

There  is  no  portrait  of  John  Woolman  ;  and  had  photog- 
raphy been  known  in  his  day  it  is  not  at  all  probable  that 
the  sun-artist  would  have  been  permitted  to  delineate  his  fea- 
tures. That,  while  eschewing  all  superfluity  and  expensive 
luxury,  he  was  scrupulously  neat  in  his  dress  and  person 
may  be  inferred  from  his  general  character  and  from  the 
fact  that  one  of  his  serious  objections  to  dyed  clothing  was 
that  it  served  to  conceal  uncleanness,  and  was,  therefore, 
detrimental  to  real  purity.  It  is,  however,  quite  probable 
that  his  outer  man,  on  the  occasion  referred  to,  was  sugges- 
tive of  a  hasty  toilet  in  the  crowded  steerage. 


260      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

through  Divine  love,  a  heart-tendering  season. 
Next  day  I  had  a  meeting  in  a  Friend's  family, 
which,  through  the  strengthening  arm  of  the  Lord, 
was  a  time  to  be  thankfully  remembered. 

Second  of  eighth  month  and  first  of  the  week.  — 
I  was  this  day  at  Sheffield,  a  large  inland  town.  I 
was  at  sundry  meetings  last  week,  and  feel  inward 
thankfulness  for  that  Divine  support  which  hath 
been  graciously  extended  to  me.  On  the  Qth  I 
was  at  Rushworth.  I  have  lately  passed  through 
some  painful  labor,  but  have  been  comforted  under 
a  sense  of  that  Divine  visitation  which  I  feel  ex- 
tended towards  many  young  people. 

Sixteenth  of  eighth  month  and  the  first  of  the 
week,  I  was  at  Settle.  It  hath  of  late  been  a  time 
of  inward  poverty,  under  which  my  mind  hath  been 
preserved  in  a  watchful,  tender  state,  feeling  for  the 
mind  of  the  Holy  Leader,  and  I  find  peace  in  the 
labors  I  have  passed  through. 

On  inquiry  in  many  places  I  find  the  price  of 
rye  about  five  shillings  ;  wheat,  eight  shillings  per 
bushel ;  oatmeal,  twelve  shillings  for  a  hundred  and 
twenty  pounds  ;  mutton  from  threepence  to  five- 
pence  per  pound  ;  bacon  from  sevenpence  to  nine- 
pence  ;  cheese  from  fourpence  to  sixpence  ;  but- 
ter from  eightpence  to  tenpence  ;  house-rent  for 
a  poor  man  from  twenty-five  shillings  to  forty  shil- 
lings per  year,  to  be  paid  weekly  ;  wood  for  fire 
very  scarce  and  dear ;  coal  in  some  places  two 
shillings  and  sixpence  per  hundredweight ;  but 
near  the  pits  not  a  quarter  so  much.  O,  may  the 
wealthy  consider  the  poor  ! 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      261 

The  wages  of  laboring  men  in  several  counties 
towards  London  at  tenpence  per  day  in  common 
business,  the  employer  finds  small  beer  and  the 
laborer  finds  his  own  food  ;  but  in  harvest  and  hay 
time  wages  are  about  one  shilling  per  day,  and  the 
laborer  hath  all  his  diet.  In  some  parts  of  the 
north  of  England  poor  laboring  men  have  their 
food  where  they  work,  and  appear  in  common  to 
do  rather  better  than  nearer  London.  Industrious 
women  who  spin  in  the  factories  get  some  four- 
pence,  some  fivepence,  and  so  on  to  six,  seven, 
eight,  nine,  or  ten  pence  per  day,  and  find  their 
own  house-room  and  diet.  Great  numbers  of  poor 
people  live  chiefly  on  bread  and  water  in  the  south- 
ern parts  of  England,  as  well  as  in  the  northern 
parts  j  and  there  are  many  poor  children  not  even 
taught  to  read.  May  those  who  have  abundance 
lay  these  things  to  heart  I 

Stage-coaches  frequently  go  upwards  of  one 
hundred  miles  in  twenty-four  hours ;  and  I  have 
heard  Friends  say  in  several  places  that  it  is  com- 
mon for  horses  to  be  killed  with  hard  driving,  and 
that  many  others  are  driven  till  they  grow  blind. 
Post-boys  pursue  their  business,  each  one  to  his 
stage,  all  night  through  the  winter.  Some  boys 
who  ride  long  stages  suffer  greatly  in  winter  nights, 
and  at  several  places  I  have  heard  of  their  being 
frozen  to  death.  So  great  is  the  hurry  in  the  spirit 
of  this  world,  that  in  aiming  to  do  business  quickly 
and  to  gain  wealth  the  creation  at  this  day  doth 
loudly  groan. 


262       The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

As  my  journey  hath  been  without  a  horse,  I  have 
had  several  offers  of  being  assisted  on  my  way  in 
these  stage-coaches,  but  have  not  been  in  them  ; 
nor  have  I  had  freedom  to  send  letters  by  these 
posts  in  the  present  way  of  their  riding,  the  stages 
being  so  fixed,  and  one  boy  dependent  on  another 
as  to  time,  and  going  at  great  speed,  that  in  long 
cold  winter  nights  the  poor  boys  surfer  much.  I 
heard  in  America  of  the  way  of  these  posts,  and 
cautioned  Friends  in  the  General  Meeting  of  minis- 
ters and  elders  at  Philadelphia,  and  in  the  Yearly 
Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  in  London,  not  to 
send  letters  to  me  on  any  common  occasion  by 
post.  And  though  on  this  account  I  may  be  likely 
not  to  hear  so  often  from  my  family  left  behind,  yet 
for  righteousness'  sake  I  am,  through  Divine  favor, 
made  content. 

I  have  felt  great  distress  of  mind  since  I  came 
on  this  island,  on  account  of  the  members  of  our 
Society  being  mixed  with  the  world  in  various  sorts 
of  traffic,  carried  on  in  impure  channels.  Great  is 
the  trade  to  Africa  for  slaves  ;  and  for  the  loading 
of  these  ships  a  great  number  of  people  are  em- 
ployed in  their  factories,  among  whom  are  many  of 
our  Society.  Friends  in  early  times  refused  on  a 
religious  principle  to  make  or  trade  in  superfluities, 
of  which  we  have  many  testimonies  on  record  ;  but 
for  want  of  faithfulness,  some,  whose  examples  were 
of  note  in  our  Society,  gave  way,  from  which  others 
took  more  liberty.  Members  of  our  Society  worked 
in  superfluities,  and  bought  and  sold  them,  and 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      263 

thus  dimness  of  sight  came  over  many  ;  at  length 
Friends  got  into  the  use  of  some  superfluities  in 
dress  and  in  the  furniture  of  their  houses,  which 
hath  spread  from  less  to  more,  till  superfluity  of 
some  kinds  is  common  among  us. 

In  this  declining  state  many  look  at  the  example 
of  others  and  too  much  neglect  the  pure  feeling  of 
truth.  Of  late  years  a  deep  exercise  hath  attended 
my  mind,  that  Friends  may  dig  deep,  may  carefully 
cast  forth  the  loose  matter  and  get  down  to  the 
rock,  the  sure  foundation,  and  there  hearken  to 
that  Divine  voice  which  gives  a  clear  and  certain 
sound  ;  and  I  have  felt  in  that  which  doth  not 
deceive,  that  if  Friends  who  have  known  the  truth 
keep  in  that  tenderness  of  heart  where  all  views  of 
outward  gain  are  given  up,  and  their  trust  is  only 
in  the  Lord,  he  will  graciously  lead  some  to  be  pat- 
terns of  deep  self-denial  in  things  relating  to  trade 
and  handicraft  labor ;  and  others  who  have  plenty 
of  the  treasures  of  this  world  will  be  examples  of  a 
plain  frugal  life,  and  pay  wages  to  such  as  they 
may  hire  more  liberally  than  is  now  customary  in 
some  places. 

Twenty-third  of  eighth  month.  —  I  was  this  day 
at  Preston  Patrick,  and  had  a  comfortable  meeting. 
I  have  several  times  been  entertained  at  the  houses 
of  Friends  who  had  sundry  things  about  them  that 
had  the  appearance  of  outward  greatness,  and  as  I 
have  kept  inward,  way  hath  opened  for  conversa- 
tion with  such  in  private,  in  which  Divine  goodness 
hath  favored  us  together  with  heart-tendering  times. 


264      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

Twenty-sixth  of  eighth  month.  —  Being  now  at 
George  Crosfield's,  in  the  county  of  Westmore- 
land, I  feel  a  concern  to  commit  to  writing  the  fol- 
lowing uncommon  circumstance. 

In  a  time  of  sickness,  a  little  more  than  two 
years  and  a  half  ago,  I  was  brought  so  near  the 
gates  of  death  that  I  forgot  my  name.  Being  then 
desirous  to  know  who  I  was,  I  saw  a  mass  of  mat- 
ter of  a  dull  gloomy  color  between  the  south  and 
the  east,  and  was  informed  that  this  mass  was  hu- 
man beings  in  as  great  misery  as  they  could  be,  and 
live,  and  that  I  was  mixed  with  them,  and  that 
henceforth  I  might  not  consider  myself  as  a  dis- 
tinct or  separate  being.  In  this  state  I  remained 
several  hours.  I  then  heard  a  soft  melodious 
voice,  more  pure  and  harmonious  than  any  I  had 
heard  with  my  ears  before ;  I  believed  it  was  the 
voice  of  an  angel  who  spake  to  the  other  angels ; 
the  words  were,  "  John  Woolman  is  dead."  I  soon 
remembered  that  I  was  once  John  Woolman,  and 
being  assured  that  I  was  alive  in  the  body,  I  greatly 
wondered  what  that  heavenly  voice  could  mean. 
I  believed  beyond  doubting  that  it  was  the 
voice  of  an  holy  angel,  but  as  yet  it  was  a  mys- 
tery to  me. 

I  was  then  carried  in  spirit  to  the  mines  where 
poor  oppressed  people^  were  digging  rich  treasures 
for  those  called  Christians,  and  heard  them  blas- 
pheme the  name  of  Christ,  at  which  I  was  grieved, 
for  his  name  to  me  was  precious.  I  was  then  in- 
formed that  these  heathens  were  told  that  those 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      265 

who  oppressed  them  were  the  followers  of  Christ, 
and  they  said  among  themselves,  "If  Christ  di- 
rected them  to  use  us  in  this  sort,  then  Christ  is  a 
cruel  tyrant." 

All  this  time  the  song  of  the  angel  remained  a 
mystery ;  and  in  the  morning,  my  dear  wife  and 
some  others  coming  to  my  bedside,  I  asked  them 
if  they  knew  who  I  was,  and  they  telling  me  I 
was  John  Woolman,  thought  I  was  light-headed,  for 
I  told  them  not  what  the  angel  said,  nor  was  I 
disposed  to  talk  much  to  any  one,  but  was  very  de- 
sirous to  get  so  deep  that  I  might  understand  this 
mystery. 

My  tongue  was  often  so  dry  that  I  could  not 
speak  till  I  had  moved  it  about  and  gathered  some 
moisture,  and  as  I  lay  still  for  a  time  I  at  length 
felt  a  Divine  power  prepare  my  mouth  that  I  could 
speak,  and  I  then  said,  "  I  am  crucified  with 
Christ,  nevertheless  I  live ;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ 
liveth  in  me.  And  the  life  which  I  now  live  in  the 
flesh  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who 
loved  me  and  gave  himself  for  me."  Then  the 
mystery  was  opened  and  I  perceived  there  was  joy 
in  heaven  over  a  sinner  who  had  repented,  and  that 
the  language  "John  Woolman  is  dead,"  meant  no 
more  than  the  death  of  my  own  will. 

My  natural  understanding  now  returned  as  be- 
fore, and  I  saw  that  people  setting  off  their  tables 
with  silver  vessels  at  entertainments  was  often 
stained  with  worldly  glory,  and  that  in  the  pres- 
ent state  of  things  I  should  take  heed  how  I  fed 

12 


266       The  Joitrnal  of  John  Woolman. 

myself  out  of  such  vessels.  Going  to  our  Monthly 
Meeting  soon  after  my  recovery,  I  dined  at  a 
Friend's  house  where  drink  was  brought  in  silver 
vessels,  and  not  in  any  other.  Wanting  something 
to  drink,  I  told  him  my  case  with  weeping,  and  he 
ordered  some  drink  for  me  in  another  vessel.  I 
afterwards  went  through  the  same  exercise  in  sev- 
eral Friends'  houses  in  America,  as  well  as  in  Eng- 
land, and  I  have  cause  to  acknowledge  with  hum- 
ble reverence  the  loving-kindness  of  my  Heav- 
enly Father,  who  hath  preserved  me  in  such  a 
tender  frame  of  mind,  that  none,  I  believe,  have 
ever  been  offended  at  what  I  have  said  on  that 
subject. 

After  this  sickness  I  spake  not  in  public  meet- 
ings for  worship  for  nearly  one  year,  but  my  mind 
was  very  often  in  company  with  the  oppressed 
slaves  as  I  sat  in  meetings  ;  and  though  under  this 
dispensation  I  was  shut  up  from  speaking,  yet  the 
spring  of  the  gospel  ministry  was  many  times  liv- 
ingly  opened  in  me,  and  the  Divine  gift  operated 
by  abundance  of  weeping,  in  feeling  the  oppression 
of  this  people.  It  being  so  long  since  I  passed 
through  this  dispensation,  and  the'  matter  remain- 
ing fresh  and  lively  in  my  mind,  I  believe  it  safest 
for  me  to  commit  it  to  writing. 

Thirtieth  of  eighth  month.  —  This  morning  I 
wrote  a  letter  in  substance  as  follows  :  — 

BELOVED  FRIEND,  —  My  mind  is  often  affected  as 
I  pass  along  under  a  sense  of  the  state  of  many  poor 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      267 

people  who  sit  under  that  sort  of  ministry  which  re- 
quires much  outward  labor  to  support  it ;  and  the 
loving-kindness  of  our  Heavenly  Father  in  opening 
a  pure  gospel  ministry  in  this  nation  hath  often 
raised  thankfulness  in  my  heart  to  him.  I  often  re- 
member the  conflicts  of  the  faithful  under  persecu- 
tion, and  now  look  at  the  free  exercise  of  the  pure 
gift  uninterrupted  by  outward  laws,  as  a  trust  com- 
mitted to  us,  which  requires  our  deepest  gratitude 
and  most  careful  attention.  I  feel  a  tender  concern 
that  the  work  of  reformation  so  prosperously  carried 
on  in  this  land  within  a  few  ages  past  may  go  for- 
ward and  spread  among  the  nations,  and  may  not 
go  backward  through  dust  gathering  on  our  gar- 
ments, who  have  been  called  to  a  work  so  great 
and  so  precious. 

Last  evening  during  thy  absence  I  had  a  little 
opportunity  with  some  of  thy  family,  in  which  I 
rejoiced,  and  feeling  a  sweetness  on  my  mind 
towards  thee,  I  now  endeavor  to  open  a  little 
of  the  feeling  I  had  there. 

I  have  heard  that  you  in  these  parts  have  at  cer- 
tain seasons  Meetings  of  Conference  in  relation  to 
Friends  living  up  to  our  principles,  in  which  several 
meetings  unite  in  one.  With  this  I  feel  unity,  hav- 
ing in  some  measure  felt  truth  lead  that  way  among 
Friends  in  America,  and  I  have  found,  my  dear 
friend,  that  in  these  labors  all  superfluities  in  our 
own  living  are  against  us.  I  feel  that  pure  love 
towards  thee  in  which  there  is  freedom. 

I  look  at  that  precious  gift  bestowed  on  thee 


268      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

with  awfulness  before  Him  who  gave  it,  and  feel  a 
desire  that  we  may  be  so  separated  to  the  gospel 
of  Christ,  that  those  things  which  proceed  from  the 
spirit  of  this  world  may  have  no  place  among  us. 
Thy  friend, 

JOHN  WOOLMAN. 

I  rested  a  few  days  in  body  and  mind  with  our 
friend,  Jane  Crosneld,  who  was  once  in  America. 
On  the  sixth  day  of  the  week  I  was  at  Kendal,  in 
Westmoreland,  and  at  Greyrig  Meeting  the  3oth 
day  of  the  month,  and  first  of  the  week.  I  have 
known  poverty  of  late,  and  have  been  graciously 
supported  to  keep  in  the  patience,  and  am  thankful 
under  a  sense  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  towards 
those  who  are  of  a  contrite  spirit. 

Sixth  of  ninth  month  and  first  of  the  week.  —  I 
was  this  day  at  Counterside,  a  large  meeting- 
house, and  very  full.  Through  the  opening  of 
pure  love,  it  was  a  strengthening  time  to  me,  and  I 
believe  to  many  more. 

Thirteenth  of  ninth  month.  —  This  day  I  was  at 
Leyburn,  a  small  meeting ;  but,  the  towns-people 
coming  in,  the  house  was  crowded.  It  was  a  time 
of  heavy  labor,  and  I  believe  was  a  profitable  meet- 
ing. At  this  place  I  heard  that  my  kinsman, 
William  Hunt,  from  North  Carolina,  who  was  on  a 
religious  visit  to  Friends  in  England,  departed  this 
life  on  the  Qth  of  this  month,  of  the  small  pox,  at 
Newcastle.  He  appeared  in  the  ministry  when  a 
youth,  and  his  labors  therein  were  of  good  savor. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      269 

He  travelled  much  in  that  work  in  America.  I 
once  heard  him  say  in  public  testimony,  that  his 
concern  in  that  visit  was  to  be  devoted  to  the  ser- 
vice of  Christ  so  fully  that  he  might  not  spend  one 
minute  in  pleasing  himself,  which  words,  joined 
with  his  example,  was  a  means  of  stirring  up  the 
pure  mind  in  me. 

Having  of  late  often  travelled  in  wet  weather 
through  narrow  streets  in  towns  and  villages,  where 
dirtiness  under  foot  and  the  scent  arising  from  that 
filth  which  more  or  less  infects  the  air  of  all  thickly 
settled  towns  were  disagreeable  j  and,  being  but 
weakly,  I  have  felt  distress  both  in  body  and  mind 
with  that  which  is  impure.  In  these  journeys  I 
have  been  where  much  cloth  hath  been  dyed,  and 
have,  at  sundry  times,  walked  over  ground  where 
much  of  their  dye-stuffs  has  drained  away.  This 
hath  produced  a  longing  in  my  mind  that  people 
might  come  into  cleanness  of  spirit,  cleanness  of  per- 
son, and  cleanness  about  their  houses  and  garments. 

Some  of  the  great  carry  delicacy  to  a  great 
height  themselves,  and  yet  real  cleanliness  is  not 
generally  promoted.  Dyes  being  invented  partly 
to  please  the  eye  and  partly  to  hide  dirt,  I  have  felt 
in  this  weak  state,  when  travelling  in  dirtiness,  and 
affected  with  unwholesome  scents,  a  strong  desire 
that  the  nature  of  dyeing  cloth  to  hide  dirt  may  be 
more  fully  considered. 

Washing  our  garments  to  keep  them  sweet  is 
cleanly,  but  it  is  the  opposite  to  real  cleanliness  to 
hide  dirt  in  them.  Through  giving  way  to  hiding 


270      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

dirt  in  our  garments  a  spirit  which  would  conceal 
that  which  is  disagreeable  is  strengthened.  Real 
cleanliness  becometh  a  holy  people  ;  but  hiding 
that  which  is  not  clean  by  coloring  our  garments 
seems  contrary  to  the  sweetness  of  sincerity. 
Through  some  sorts  of  dyes  cloth  is  rendered 
less  useful.  And  if  the  value  of  dye-stuffs,  and 
expense  of  dyeing,  and  the  damage  done  to  cloth, 
were  all  added  together,  and  that  cost  applied  to 
keeping  all  sweet  and  clean,  how  much  more  would 
real  cleanliness  prevail. 

On  this  visit  to  England  I  have  felt  some  instruc- 
tions sealed  on  my  mind,  which  I  am  concerned  to 
leave  in  writing  for  the  use  of  such  as  are  called  to 
the  station  of  a  minister  of  Christ. 

Christ  being  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  we  being 
no  more  than  ministers,  it  is  necessary  for  us  not 
only  to  feel  a  concern  in  our  first  going  forth,  but 
to  experience  the  renewing  thereof  in  the  appoint- 
ment of  meetings.  I  felt  a  concern  in  America  to 
prepare  for  this  voyage,  and  being  through  the 
mercy  of  God  brought  safe  hither,  my  heart  was 
like  a  vessel  that  wanted  vent.  For  several  weeks 
after  my  arrival,  when  my  mouth  was  opened  in 
meetings,  it  was  like  the  raising  of  a  gate  in  a  water- 
course when  a  weight  of  water  lay  upon  it.  In 
these  labors  there  was  a  fresh  visitation  to  many, 
especially  to  the  youth ;  but  sometimes  I  felt  poor 
and  empty,  and  yet  there  appeared  a  necessity  to 
appoint  meetings.  In  this  I  was  exercised  to  abide 
in  the  pure  life  of  truth,  and  in  all  my  labors  to 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      271 

watch  diligently  against  the  motions  of  self  in  my 
own  mind. 

I  have  frequently  found  a  necessity  to  stand  up 
when  the  spring  of  the  ministry  was  low,  and  to 
speak  from  the  necessity  in  that  which  subjecteth 
the  will  of  the  creature  j  and  herein  I  was  united 
with  the  suffering  seed,  and  found  inward  sweetness 
in  these  mortifying  labors.  As  I  have  been  pre- 
served in  a  watchful  attention  to  the  divine  Leader, 
under  these  dispensations  enlargement  at  times 
hath  followed,  and  the  power  of  truth  hath  risen 
higher  in  some  meetings  than  I  ever  knew  it  before 
through  me.  Thus  I  have  been  more  and  more 
instructed  as  to  the  necessity  of  depending,  not 
upon  a  concern  which  I  felt  in  America  to  come 
on  a  visit  to  England,  but  upon  the  daily  instruc- 
tions of  Christ,  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

Of  late  I  have  sometimes  felt  a  stop  in  the  ap- 
pointment of  meetings,  not  wholly,  but  in  part :  and 
I  do  not  feel  liberty  to  appoint  them  so  quickly, 
one  after  another,  as  I  have  done  heretofore.  The 
work  of  the  ministry  being  a  work  of  Divine  love,  I 
feel  that  the  openings  thereof  are  to  be  waited  for 
in  all  our  appointments.  O,  how  deep  is  Divine 
wisdom  !  Christ  puts  forth  his  ministers  and  goeth 
before  them  ;  and  O,  how  great  is  the  danger  of 
departing  from  the  pure  feeling  of  that  which  lead- 
eth  safely  !  Christ  knoweth  the  state  of  the  people, 
and  in  the  pure  feeling  of  the  gospel  ministry  their 
states  are  opened  to  his  servants.  Christ  knoweth 
when  the  fruit-bearing  branches  themselves  have 


272      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

need  of  purging.  O  that  these  lessons  may  be 
remembered  by  me !  and  that  all  who  appoint 
meetings  may  proceed  in  the  pure  feeling  of  duty ! 

I  have  sometimes  felt  a  necessity  to  stand  up, 
but  that  spirit  which  is  of  the  world  hath  so  much 
prevailed  in  many,  and  the  pure  life  of  truth  hath 
been  so  pressed  down,  that  I  have  gone  forward, 
not  as  one  travelling  in  a  road  cast  up  and  well 
prepared,  but  as  a  man  walking  through  a  miry 
place  in  which  are  stones  here  and  there  safe  to 
step  on,  but  so  situated  that,  one  step  being  taken, 
time  is  necessary  to  see  where  to  step  next.  Now 
I  find  that  in  a  state  of  pure  obedience  the  mind 
learns  contentment  in  appearing  weak  and  foolish 
to  that  wisdom  which  is  of  the  world  ;  and  in  these 
lowly  labors,  they  .who  stand  in  a  low  place  and  are 
rightly  exercised  under  the  cross  will  find  nourish- 
ment. The  gift  is  pure  ;  and  while  the  eye  is  sin- 
gle in  attending  thereto  the  understanding  is  pre- 
served clear  ;  self  is  kept  out.  We  rejoice  in  filling 
up  that  which  remains  of  the  afflictions  of  Christ  for 
his  body's  sake,  which  is  the  church. 

The  natural  man  loveth  eloquence,  and  many 
love  to  hear  eloquent  orations,  and  if  there  be  not 
a  careful  attention  to  the  gift,  men  who  have  once 
labored  in  the  pure  gospel  ministry,  growing  weary 
of  suffering,  and  ashamed  of  appearing  weak,  may 
kindle  a  fire,  compass  themselves  about  with  sparks, 
and  walk  in  the  light,  not  of  Christ,  who  is  under 
suffering,  but  of  that  fire  which  they  in  departing 
from  the  gift  have  kindled,  in  order  that  those  hear- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      273 

ers  who  have  left  the  meek,  suffering  state  for 
worldly  wisdom  may  be  warmed  with  this  fire  and 
speak  highly  of  their  labors.  That  which  is  of  God 
gathers  to  God,  and  that  which  is  of  the  world  is 
owned  by  the  world. 

In  this  journey  a  labor  hath  attended  my  mind, 
that  the  ministers  among  us  may  be  preserved  in 
the  meek,  feeling  life  of  truth,  where  we  may  have 
no  desire  but  to  follow  Christ  and  to  be  with  him, 
that  when  he  is  under  suffering,  we  may  suffer  with 
him,  and  never  desire  to  rise  up  in  dominion,  but  as 
he,  by  the  virtue  of  his  own  spirit,  may  raise  us. 


A  few  days  after  writing  these  considerations,  our 
dear  friend  in  the  course  of  his  religious  visits  came 
to  the  city  of  York,*  and  attended  most  of  the  sit- 

*  During  the  four  months  of  his  labors  in  England  he  vis- 
ited the  Quarterly  and  subordinate  meetings  of  Friends  in 
seven  counties,  and  found  time  to  write  essays  upon 
"  Loving  our  Neighbors,"  "  A  Sailor's  Life,"  and  "  Silent 
Worship."  His  mind  seems  to  have  been  greatly  exer- 
cised by  a  sense  of  the  intimate  connection  of  luxury  and 
oppression  ;  the  burden  of  the  laboring  poor  rested  heavily 
upon  him.  In  his  lonely  wanderings  on  foot  through  the 
rural  districts  (for  he  did  not  feel  free  to  use  the  post  on 
account  of  the  hard  treatment  of  the  horses),  or  in  his  tem- 
porary sojourn  in  crowded  manufacturing  towns,  the  eager 
competitions  and  earnest  pursuit  of  gain  of  one  class,  and  the 
poverty  and  physical  and  moral  degradation  of  another,  so 
oppressed  him  that  his  health  suffered  and  his  strength  failed. 
It  is  observable  that,  in  his  frequent  mention  throughout  his 
Journal  of  inward  trials  and  afflictions,  he  nowhere  betrays 
12*  .  ^  R 


274      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

tings  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  there  ;  but  before  it 
was  over  he  was  taken  ill  of  the  small-pox.  Our 
friend  Thomas  Priestman,  and  others  who  attended 
him,  preserved  the  following  minutes  of  his  expres- 
sions in  the  time  of  his  sickness. 

First  day,  the  27th  of  the  ninth  month,  1772. — 
His  disorder  appeared  to  be  the  small-pox.  Being 
asked  to  have  a  doctor's  advice,  he  signified  he 
had  not  freedom  or  liberty  in  his  mind  so  to  do, 
standing  wholly  resigned  to  His  will  who  gave  him 
life,  and  whose  power  he  had  witnessed  to  raise  and 
heal  him  in  sickness  before,  when  he  seemed  nigh 
unto  death  ;  and  if  he  was  to  wind  up  now,  he  was 
perfectly  resigned,  having  no  will  either  to  live  or 
die,  and  did  not  choose  any  should  be  sent  for 
to  him ;  but  a  young  man,  an  apothecary,  coming 
of  his  own  accord  the  next  day  and  desiring  to  do 

any  personal  solicitude,  any  merely  selfish  anxiety,  for  his 
own  soul.  His  singular  conscientious  scruples,  his  close  self- 
questionings,  are  prompted  by  a  tender  concern  for  universal 
well-being ;  an  earnest  desire  that  no  act  or  omission  of  his 
own  should  add  to  the  evil  and  misery  under  which  the  crea- 
tion groans.  He  offered  no  prayers  for  special  personal  fa- 
vors. He  was,  to  use  his  own  words,  mixed  with  his  fellow- 
creatures  in  their  misery,  and  could  not  consider  himself  a 
distinct  and  separate  being.  He  left  all  that  concerns  self 
to  the  will  of  his  Father  in  Heaven,  trusting  to  find  a  place 
among  the  "  many  mansions,"  but  never  asking  to  see  the 
title-deeds  of  his  inheritance.  His  last  public  labor  was  a 
testimony  in  the  York  Meeting  in  behalf  of  the  poor  and  en- 
slaved. His  last  prayer  on  his  death-bed  was  a  commenda- 
tion of  his  "  fellow-creatures  separated  from  the  Divine  har- 
mony "  to  the  Omnipotent  Power  whom  he  had  learned  to 
call  his  Father. 


The  Journal  of  John  Woohnan.      275 

something  for  him,  he  said  he  found  a  freedom  to 
confer  with  him  and  the  other  Friends  about  him, 
and  if  anything  should  be  proposed  as  to  medicine 
that  did  not  come  through  defiled  channels  or  op- 
pressive hands,  he  should  .be  willing  to  consider  and 
take  it,  so  far  as  he  found  freedom. 

Second  day.  —  He  said  he  felt  the  disorder  to 
affect  his  head  so  that  he  could  think  little  and  but 
as  a  child,  and  desired,  if  his  understanding  should 
be  more  affected,  to  have  nothing  given  him  that 
those  about  him  knew  he  had  a  testimony  against 

Third  day.  —  He  uttered  the  following  prayer  : 
"  O  Lord,  my  God !  the  amazing  horrors  of  dark- 
ness were  gathered  around  me  and  covered  me  all 
over,  and  I  saw  no  way  to  go  forth.  I  felt  the  depth 
and  extent  of  the  misery  of  my  fellow-creatures  sep- 
arated from  the  Divine  harmony,  and  it  was  heavier 
than  I  could  bear,  and  I  was  crushed  down  under 
it.  I  lifted  up  my  hand,  I  stretched  out  my  arm, 
but  there  was  none  to  help  me ;  I  looked  round 
about  and  was  amazed.  In  the  depths  of  mis- 
ery, O  Lord  !  I  remembered  that  thou  art  omnipo- 
tent ;  that  I  had  called  thee  Father ;  and  I  felt  that 
I  loved  thee,  and  I  was  made  quiet  in  my  will,  and 
I  waited  for  deliverance  from  thee.  Thou  hadst 
pity  upon  me  when  no  man  could  help  me.  I  saw 
that  meekness  under  suffering  was  showed  to  us  in 
the  most  affecting  example  of  thy  Son,  and  thou 
taught  me  to  follow  him,  and  I  said,  '  Thy  will,  O 
Father,  be  done ! ' " 

Fourth  day  morning.  —  Being  asked  how  he  felt 


276      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

himself,  he  meekly  answered,  "  I  don't  know  that  I 
have  slept  this  night ;  I  feel  the  disorder  making 
its  progress,  but  my  mind  is  mercifully  preserved  in 
stillness  and  peace."  Some  time  after,  he  said  he 
was  sensible  that  the  pains  of  death  must  be  hard 
to  bear,  but  if  he  escaped  them  now  he  must  some 
time  pass  through  them,  and  he  did  not  know  that 
he  could  be  better  prepared,  but  had  no  will  in 
it.  He  said  he  had  settled  his  outward  affairs  to 
his  mind,  had  taken  leave  of  his  wife  and  family  as 
never  to  return,  leaving  them  to  the  Divine  protec- 
tion, adding,  "Though  I  feel  them  near  to  me  at  this 
time,  yet  I  have  freely  given  them  up,  having  a  hope 
that  they  will  be  provided  for."  And  a  little  after 
said,  "  This  trial  is  made  easier  than  I  could  have 
thought,  my  will  being  wholly  taken  away  ;  if  I  was 
anxious  for  the  event  it  would  have  been  harder ; 
but  I  am  not,  and  my  mind  enjoys  a  perfect 
calm." 

In  the  night,  a  young  woman  having  given  him 
something  to  drink,  he  said,  "  My  child,  thou  seem- 
est  very  kind  to  me,  a  poor  creature  ;  the  Lord  will 
reward  thee  for  it."  Awhile  after  he  cried  out 
with  great  earnestness  of  spirit,  "  O  my  Father ! 
my  Father ! "  and  soon  after  he  said,  "  O  my  Fa- 
ther !  my  Father  !  how  comfortable  art  thou  to  my 
soul  in  this  trying  season  ! "  Being  asked  if  he 
could  take  a  little  nourishment,  after  some  pause 
he  replied,  "  My  child,  I  cannot  tell  what  to  say  to 
it ;  I  seem  nearly  arrived  where  my  soul  shall  have 
rest  from  all  its  troubles."  After  giving  in  some- 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      277 

thing  to  be  inserted  in  his  journal,  he^said,  "I  be- 
lieve the  Lord  will  now  excuse  me  from  exer- 
cises of  this  kind  ;  and  I  see  no  work  but  one, 
which  is  to  be  the  last  wrought  by  me  in  this  world  ; 
the  messenger  will  come  that  will  release  me  from 
all  these  troubles,  but  it  must  be  in  the  Lord's 
time,  which  I  am  waiting  for."  He  said  he  had  la- 
bored to  do  whatever  was  required  according  to  the 
ability  received,  in  the  remembrance  of  which  he 
had  peace  ;  and  though  the  disorder  was  strong  at 
times,  and  would  like  a  whirlwind  come  over  his 
mind,  yet  it  had  hitherto  been  kept  steady  and  cen- 
tred in  everlasting  love  ;  adding,  "  And  if  that  be 
mercifully  continued,  I  ask  and  desire  no  more." 
Another  time  he  said  he  had  long  had  a  view  of 
visiting  this  nation  and,  some  time  before  he  came, 
had  a  dream,  in  which  he  saw  himself  in  the  north- 
ern parts  of  it,  and  that  the  spring  of  the  gospel 
was  opened  in  him  much  as  it  was  in  the  beginning 
of  Friends  such  as  George  Fox  and  William  Dews- 
bury,  and  he  saw  the  different  states  of  the  people 
as  clear  as  he  had  ever  seen  flowers  in  a  garden  ; 
but  in  his  going  along  he  was  suddenly  stopped, 
though  he  could  not  see  for  what  end  ;  but,  look- 
ing towards  home,  fell  into  a  flood  of  tears,  which 
waked  him. 

At  another  time  he  said,  "  My  draught  seemed 
strongest  towards  the  north,  and  I  mentioned  in 
my  own  Monthly  Meeting,  that  attending  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  at  York,  and  being  there,  looked  like 
home  to  me." 


278       The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

Fifth  day  night.  —  Having  repeatedly  consented 
to  take  medicine,  but  without  effect,  the  friend  then 
waiting  on  him  said  through  distress,  "  What  shall  I 
do  now  ? "  He  answered  with  great  composure, 
"Rejoice  evermore,  and  in  everything  give  thanks" ; 
but  added  a  little  after,  "  This  is  sometimes  hard  to 
come  at." 

On  sixth  day  morning  he  broke  forth  early  in 
supplication  on  this  wise,  "  O  Lord,  it  was  thy  pow- 
er that  enabled  me  to  forsake  sin  in  my  youth,  and 
I  have  felt  thy  bruises  for  disobedience  ;  but  as  I 
bowed  under  them  thou  healedst  me,  continuing  a 
father  and  a  friend  ;  I  feel  thy  power  now,  and  I 
beg  that  in  the  approaching  trying  moment  thou 
wilt  keep  my  heart  steadfast  unto  thee."  On  his 
giving  directions  to  a  friend  concerning  some  little 
things,  she  said,  "  I  will  take  care,  but  hope  thou 
wilt  live  to  order  them  thyself."  He  replied,  "  My 
hope  is  in  Christ ;  and  though  I  may  seem  a  little 
better,  a  change  in  the  disorder  may  soon  happen, 
and  my  little  strength  be  dissolved,  and  if  it  so  hap- 
pen I  shall  be  gathered  to  my  everlasting  rest." 
On  her  saying  she  did  not  doubt  that,  but  could 
not  help  mourning  to  see  so  many  faithful  servants 
removed  at  so  low  a  time,  he  said,  "  All  good  com- 
eth  from  the  Lord,  whose  power  is  the  same,  and 
he  can  work  as  he  sees  best."  The  same  day  he 
had  given  directions  about  wrapping  his  corpse  ; 
perceiving  a  friend  to  weep,  he  said,  "  I  would 
rather  thou  wouldst  guard  against  weeping  for  me, 
my  sister ;  I  sorrow  not,  though  I  have  had  some 


The  Journal  of  John  Woolman.      279 

painful  conflicts,  but  now  they  seem  over,  and  mat- 
ters well  settled ;  and  I  look  at  the  face  of  my  dear 
Redeemer,  for  sweet  is  his  voice,  and  his  counte- 
nance is  comely." 

First-day,  4th  of  tenth  month.  —  Being  very 
weak  and  in  general  difficult  to  be  understood,  he 
uttered  a  few  words  in  commemoration  of  the 
Lord's  goodness,  and  added,  "  How  tenderly  have 
I  been  waited  on  in  this  time  of  affliction,  in  which 
I  may  say  in  Job's  words,  Tedious  days  and  '  wea- 
risome nights  are  appointed  to  me ' ;  and  how  many 
are  spending  their  time  and  money  in  vanity  and 
superfluities,  while  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands 
want  the  necessaries  of  life,  who  might  be  relieved 
by  them,  and  their  distresses  at  such  a  time  as 
this  in  some  degree  softened  by  the  administering 
of  suitable  things." 

Second  day  morning.  —  The  apothecary,  who  ap- 
peared very  anxious  to  assist  him,  being  present,  he 
queried  about  the  probability  of  such  a  load  of  mat- 
ter being  thrown  off  his  weak  body ;  and  the  apoth- 
ecary making  some  remarks  implying  he  thought  it 
might,  he  spoke  with  an  audible  voice  on  this  wise  : 
"  My  dependence  is  on  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  I  trust 
will  forgive  my  sins,  which  is  all  I  hope  for  ;  and  if 
it  be  his  will  to  raise  up  this  body  again,  I  am  con- 
tent ;  and  if  to  die,  I  am  resigned  ;  but  if  thou 
canst  not  be  easy  without  trying  to  assist  nature,  I 
submit."  After  which  his  throat  was  so  much  af- 
fected that  it  was  very  difficult  for  him  to  speak  so 
as  to  be  understood,  and  he  frequently  wrote  when 


280      The  Journal  of  John  Woolman. 

he  wanted  anything.  About  the  second  hour  on 
fourth-day  morning  he  asked  for  pen  and  ink,  and 
at  several  times,  with  much  difficulty,  wrote  thus  : 
"I  believe  my  being  here  is  in  the  wisdom  of 
Christ ;  I  know  not  as  to  life  or  death." 

About  a  quarter  before  six  the  same  morning  he 
seemed  to  fall  into  an  easy  sleep,  which  continued 
about  half  an  hour,  when,  seeming  to  awake,  he 
breathed  a  few  times  with  more  difficulty  and  ex- 
pired without  sigh,  groan,  or  struggle. 


APPENDIX. 


The  TESTIMONY  of  Friends  in  Yorkshire  at  their  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing;  held  at  York  the  2^th  and  z$th  of  the  third  month,  17731  concern- 
ing John  Wool-man,  of  Mount  Holly,  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey, 
North  A  mericd,  who  departed  this  life  at  the  house  of  our  Friend 
Thomas  Priestman,  in  the  suburbs  of  this  city,  the  yth  of  tenth  month, 
1772,  and  was  interred  in  the  burial-ground  of  Friends  the  <)th  of  the 
same,  aged  about  fifty-two  years. 

THIS  our  valuable  friend  having  been  under  a  re- 
ligious engagement  for  some  time  to  visit  Friends 
in  this  nation,  and  more  especially  us  in  the  northern 
parts,  undertook  the  same  in  full  concurrence  and  near 
sympathy  with  his  friends  and  brethren  at  home,  as 
appeared  by  certificates  from  the  Monthly  and  Quar- 
terly Meetings  to  which  he  belonged,  and  from  the 
Spring  Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  held  at  Phila- 
delphia for  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey. 

He  arrived  in  the  city  of  London  the  beginning  of 
the  last  Yearly  Meeting,  and,  after  attending  that  meet- 
ing, travelled  northward,  visiting  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ings of  Hertfordshire,  Buckinghamshire,  Northamp- 
tonshire, Oxfordshire,  and  Worcestershire,  and  divers 
particular  meetings  in  his  way. 

He  visited  many  meetings  on  the  west  side  of  this 
country,  also  some  in  Lancashire  and  Westmoreland, 
from  whence  he  came  to  our  Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  ' 
last  ninth  month,  and  though  much  out  of  health,  yet  was 
enabled  to  attend  all  the  sittings  of  that  meeting  except 
the  last. 


282  Appendix. 

His  disorder,  which  proved  the  small-pox,  increased 
speedily  upon  him,  and  was  very  afflicting,  under  which 
he  was  supported  in  much  meekness,  patience,  and 
Christian  fortitude.  To  those  who  attended  him  in  his 
illness,  his  mind  appeared  to  be  centred  in  Divine  love, 
under  the  precious  influence  whereof  we  believe  he 
finished  his  course,  and  entered  into  the  mansions  of 
everlasting  rest. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  illness  he  requested  a  Friend 
to  write,  and  he  broke  forth  thus  :  — 

"  O  Lord  my  God  !  the  amazing  horrors  of  darkness 
were  gathered  around  me  and  covered  me  all  over,  and 
I  saw  no  way  to  go  forth  ;  I  felt  the  misery  of  my 
fellow-creatures  separated  from  the  Divine  harmony, 
and  it  was  heavier  than  I  could  bear,  and  I  was 
crushed  down  under  it ;  I  lifted  up  my  hand  and 
stretched  out  my  arm,  but  there  was  none  to  help  me  ; 
I  looked  rqund  about  and  was  amazed.  In  the  depth 
of  misery,  O  Lord  !  I  remembered  that  thou  art  om- 
nipotent, that  I  had  called  thee  Father,  and  I  felt  that  I 
loved  thee,  and  I  was  made  quiet  in  thy  will,  and  I 
waited  for  deliverance  from  thee  ;  thou  hadst  pity  upon 
me  when  no  man  could  help  me  ;  I  saw  that  meekness 
under  suffering  was  showed  to  us  in  the  most  affecting 
example  of  thy  Son,  and  thou  taught  me  to  follow  him, 
and  I  said,  Thy  will,  O  Father,  be  done." 

Many  more  of  his  weighty  expressions  might  have 
been  inserted  here,  but  it  was  deemed  unnecessary, 
they  being  already  published  in  print. 

He  was  a  man  endued  with  a  large  natural  capacity, 
and  being  obedient  to  the  manifestations  of  Divine 
Grace,  having  in  patience  and  humility  endured  many 
deep  baptisms,  he  became  thereby  sanctified  and 
fitted  for  the  Lord's  work,  and  was  truly  serviceable  in 
his  church.  Dwelling  in  awful  fear  and  watchfulness, 


Appendix.  283 

he  was  careful  in  his  public  appearances  to  feel  the 
putting  forth  of  the  Divine  Hand,  so  that  the  spring  of 
the  gospel  ministry  often  flowed  through  him  with 
great  sweetness  and  purity,  as  a  refreshing  stream  to 
the  weary  travellers  towards  the  city  of  God.  Skilful 
in  dividing  the  word,  he  was  furnished  by  Him  in 
whom  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowl- 
edge, to  communicate  freely  to  the  several  states  of  the 
people  where  his  lot  was  cast.  His  conduct  at  other 
times  was  seasoned  with  like  watchful  circumspection 
and  attention  to  the  guidance  of  Divine  wisdom,  which 
rendered  his  whole  conversation  uniformly  edifying. 

He  was  fully  persuaded  that  as  the  life  of  Christ 
comes  to  reign  in  the  earth,  all  abuse  and  unnecessary 
oppression,  both  of  the  human  and  brute  creation,  will 
come  to  an  end  ;  but  under  the  sense  of  a  deep  revolt 
and"  an  overflowing  stream  of  unrighteousness,  his  life 
has  been  often  a  life  of  mourning. 

He  was  deeply  concerned  on  account  of  that  inhu- 
man and  iniquitous  practice  of  making  slaves  of  the 
people  of  Africa,  or  holding  them  in  that  state,  and  on 
that  account  we  understand  he  hath  not  only  written 
some  books,  but  travelled  much  on  the  continent  of 
America,  in  order  to  make  the  negro-masters  (espe- 
cially those  in  profession  with  us)  sensible  of  the  evil  of 
such  a  practice,  and  though  in  this  journey  to  England 
he  was  far  removed  from  the  outward  sight  of  their 
sufferings,  yet  his  deep  exercise  of  mind  and  frequent 
concern  to  open  the  miserable  state  of  this  deeply  in- 
jured people  remained,  as  appears  by  a  short  treatise 
he  wrote  in  this  journey.  His  testimony  in  the  last 
meeting  he  attended  was  on  this  subject,  wherein  he 
remarked  that  as  we  as  a  Society,  when  under  outward 
sufferings,  had  often  found  it  our  concern  to  lay  them 
before  those  in  authority,  and  thereby,  in  the  Lord's 


284  Appendix. 

time,  had  obtained  relief,  so  he  recommended  this  op- 
pressed part  of  the  creation  to  our  notice,  that  we  may, 
as  way  may  open,  represent  their  sufferings  in  an  indi- 
vidual, if  not  in  a  Society  capacity,  to  those  in  authority. 

Deeply  sensible  that  the  desire  to  gratify  people's 
inclinations  in  luxury  and  superfluities  is  the  princi- 
pal ground  of  oppression,  and  the  occasion  of  many 
unnecessary  wants,  he  believed  it  to  be  his  duty  to  be 
a  pattern  of  great  self-denial  with  respect  to  the  things 
of  this  life,  and  earnestly  to  labor  with  Friends  in  the 
meekness  of  wisdom,  to  impress  on  their  minds  the 
great  importance  of  our  testimony  in  these  things, 
recommending  to  the  guidance  of  the  blessed  truth  in 
this  and  all  other  concerns,  and  cautioning  such  as  are 
experienced  therein  against  contenting  themselves  with 
acting  to  the  standard  of  others,  but  to  be  careful  to 
make  the  standard  of  truth  manifested  to  them  the 
measure  of  their  obedience.  For,  said  he,  "  that 
purity  of  life  which  proceeds  from  faithfulness  in  fol- 
lowing the  spirit  of  truth,  that  state  where  our  minds 
are  devoted  to  serve  God,  and  all  our  wants  are 
bounded  by  his  wisdom  ;  this  habitation  has  often 
been  opened  before  me  as  a  place  of  retirement  for 
the  children  of  the  light,  where  they  may  stand  sepa- 
rated from  that  which  disordereth  and  confuseth  the 
affairs  of  society,  and  where  we  have  a  testimony  of 
our  innocence  in  the  hearts  of  those  who  behold  us." 

We  conclude  with  fervent  desires  that  we  as  a  people 
may  thus  by  our  example  promote  the  Lord's  work  in 
the  earth,  and,  our  hearts  being  prepared,  may  unite  in 
prayer  to  the  great  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  as  in  his 
infinite  wisdom  he  hath  greatly  stripped  the  church  by 
removing  of  late  divers  faithful  ministers  and  elders, 
he  may  be  pleased  to  send  forth  many  more  faithful  la,- 
borers  into  his  harvest. 


Appendix.  285 


A  TESTIMONY  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends,  held  in  Burling- 
ion,  the  First  Day  of  the  Eighth  Month,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord 
1774,  concerning  our  esteemed  friend,  John  Woolman,  deceased* 

HE  was  born  in  Northampton,  in  the  county  of  Bur- 
lington and  province  of  West  New  Jersey,  in 
the  eighth  month,  1720,  of  religious  parents,  who  in- 
structed him  very  early  in  the  principles  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion  as  professed  by  the  people  called  Quakers, 
which  he  esteemed  a  blessing  to  him  even  in  his 
younger  years,  tending  to  preserve  him  from  the  infec- 
tion of  wicked  children.  But  through  the  workings  of 
the  enemy  and  the  levity  incident  to  youth,  he  fre- 
quently deviated  from  those  parental  precepts,  by 
which  he  laid  a  renewed  foundation  for  repentance  that 
was  finally  succeeded  by  a  "  godly  sorrow  not  to  be  re- 
pented of";  and  so  he  became  acquainted  with  that 
sanctifying  power  which  qualifies  for  true  gospel  minis- 
try, into  which  he  was  called  about  the  twenty-second 
year  of  his  age  ;  and  by  a  faithful  use  of  the  talents 
committed  to  him  he  experienced  an  increase,  until  he 
arrived  at  the  state  of  a  father,  capable  of  dividing  the 
word  aright  to  the  different  states  he  ministered  unto, 
dispensing  milk  to  babes  and  meat  to  those  of  riper 
years.  Thus  he  found  the  efficacy  of  that  power  to 
arise,  which,  in  his  own  expressions,  "prepares  the 
creature  to  stand  like  a  trumpet  through  which  the 
Lord  speaks  to  his  people."  He  was  a  loving  husband, 
a  tender  father,  and  was  very  humane  to  every  part  of 
the  creation  under  his  care. 

His  concern  for  the  poor  and  those  in  affliction  was 
evident  by  his  visits  to  them,  whom  he  frequently  re- 


286  Appendix. 

lieved  by  his  assistance  and  charity.  He  was  for  many 
years  deeply  exercised  on  account  of  the  poor  en- 
slaved Africans,  whose  cause,  as  he  mentioned,  lay  al- 
most continually  upon  him  ;  and  he  labored  to  obtain 
liberty  for  those  captives  both  in  public  and  in  private, 
and  was  favored  to  see  his  endeavors  crowned  with 
considerable  success.  He  was  particularly  desirous 
that  Friends  should  not  be  instrumental  to  lay  burdens 
on  this  oppressed  people,  but  should  remember  the 
days  of  suffering  from  which  they  had  been  providen- 
tially delivered,  that,  if  times  of  trouble  should  return, 
no  injustice  dealt  to  those  in  slavery  might  rise  in 
judgment  against  us,  but  being  clear,  we  might  on 
such  occasions  address  the  Almighty  with  a  degree  of 
confidence  for  his  interposition  and  relief,  being  par- 
ticularly careful  as  to  himself  not  to  countenance  sla- 
very even  by  the  use  of  those  conveniences  of  life 
which  were  furnished  by  their  labor. 

He  was  desirous  to  have  his  own  mind  and  the 
minds  of  others  redeemed  from  the  pleasures  and 
immoderate  profits  of  this  world  and  to  fix  them  on 
those  joys  which  fade  not  away  ;  his  principal  care  be- 
ing after  a  life  of  purity,  endeavoring  to  avoid  not  only 
the  grosser  pollutions,  but  those  also  which,  appearing 
in  a  more  refined  dress,  are  not  sufficiently  guarded 
against  by  some  well-disposed  people.  In  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  he  was  remarkable  for  the  plainness  and 
simplicity  of  his  dress,  and  as  much  as  possible  avoided 
the  use  of  plate,  costly  furniture,  and  feasting,  thereby 
endeavoring  to  become  an  example  of  temperance  and 
self-denial  which  he  believed  himself  called  unto  ;  and 
he  was  favored  with  peace  therein,  although  it  carried 
the  appearance  of  great  austerity  in  the  view  of  some. 
He  was  very  moderate  in  his  charges  in  the  way  of 
business,  and  in  his  desires  after  gain ;  and  though  a 


Appendix.  287 

man  of  industry,  avoided  and  strove  much  to  lead 
others  out  of  extreme  labor  and  anxiety  after  perishable 
things,  being  desirous  that  the  strength  of  our  bodies 
might  not  be  spent  in  procuring  things  unprofitable, 
and  that  we  might  use  moderation  and  kindness  to  the 
brute  animals  under  our  care,  to  prize  the  use  of  them 
as  a  great  favor,  and  by  no  means  to  abuse  them  ;  that 
the  gifts  of  Providence  should  be  thankfully  received 
and  applied  to  the  uses  they  were  designed  for. 

He  several  times  opened  a  school  at  Mount  Holly 
for  the  instruction  of  poor  Friends'  children  and  others, 
being  concerned  for  their  help  and  improvement  there- 
in. His  love  and  care  for  the  rising  youth  among  us 
was  truly  great,  recommending  to  parents  and  those 
who  have  the  charge  of  them  to  choose  conscientious 
and  pious  tutors,  saying,  "  It  is  a  lovely  sight  to  be- 
hold innocent  children";  and  that  "  to  labor  for  their 
help  against  that  which  would  mar  the  beauty  of  their 
minds  is  a  debt  we  owe  them." 

His  ministry  was  sound,  very  deep  and  penetrating, 
sometimes  pointing  out  the  dangerous  situation  which 
indulgence  and  custom  lead  into,  frequently  exhorting 
others,  especially  the  youth,  not  to  be  discouraged  at 
the  difficulties  which  occur,  but  to  press  after  purity. 
He  often  expressed  an  earnest  engagement  that  pure 
wisdom  should  be  attended  to,  which  would  lead  into 
lowliness  of  mind  and  resignation  to  the  Divine  will,  in 
which  state  small  possessions  here  would  be  sufficient. 

In  transacting  the  affairs  of  the  discipline  his  judg- 
ment was  sound  and  clear,  and  he  was  very  useful  in 
treating  with  those  who  had  done  amiss  ;  he  visited 
such  in  a  private  way  in  that  plainness  which  truth  dic- 
tates, showing  great  tenderness  and  Christian  forbear- 
ance. He  was  a  constant  attender  of  our  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, in  which  he  was  a  good  example  and  particularly 


288  Appendix. 

useful,  assisting  in  the  business  thereof  with  great 
weight  and  attention.  He  several  times  visited  most 
of  the  meetings  of  Friends  in  this  and  in  the  neighbor- 
ing provinces  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Monthly 
Meeting  to  which  he  belonged,  and  we  have  reason  to 
believe  he  had  good  service  therein,  generally  or  al- 
ways expressing  at  his  return  how  it  had  fared  with 
him  and  the  evidence  of  peace  in  his  mind  for  thus 
performing  his  duty.  He  was  often  concerned  with 
other  Friends  in  the  important  service  of  visiting  fami- 
lies, which  he  was  enabled  to  go  through  to  satisfac- 
tion. 

In  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders 
for  this  quarter,  at  the  foot  of  a  list  of  the  members  of 
that  meeting,  made  about  five  years  before  his  death, 
we  find  in  his  handwriting  the  following  observation 
and  reflections  :  "  As  looking  over  the  minutes  made 
by  persons  who  have  put  off  this  body  hath  sometimes 
revived  in  me  a  thought  how  ages  pass  away,  so  this 
list  may  probably  revive  a  like  thought  in  some  when  I 
and  the  rest  of  the  persons  above  named  are  centred 
in  another  state  of  being.  The  Lord  who  was  the 
guide  of  my  youth  hath  in  tender  mercies  helped  me 
hitherto  ;  he  hath  healed  my  wounds,  he  hath  helped 
me  out  of  grievous  entanglements  ;  he  remains  to  be 
the  strength  of  my  life ;  to  whom  I  desire  to  devote 
myself  in  time  and  in  eternity. 

"JOHN   WOOLMAN." 

In  the  twelfth  month,  1771,  he  acquainted  this  meet- 
ing that  he  found  his  mind  drawn  towards  a  religious 
visit  to  Friends  in  some  parts  of  England,  particularly 
in  Yorkshire.  In  the  first  month,  1772,  he  obtained 
our  certificate,  which  was  approved  and  indorsed  by 
our  Quarterly  Meeting  and  by  the  Half- Year's  Meeting 


Appendix.  289 

of  ministers  and  elders  at  Philadelphia.  He  embarked 
on  his  voyage  in  the  fifth  month,  and  arrived  in  London 
in  the  sixth  month  following,  at  the  time  of  their 
Annual  Meeting  in  that  city.  During  his  short  visit 
to  Friends  in  that  kingdom,  we  are  informed  that  his 
services  were  acceptable  and  edifying.  In  his  last  ill- 
ness he  uttered  many  lively  and  comfortable  expres- 
sions, being  "  resigned,  having  no  will  either  to  live  or 
die,"  as  appears  by  the  testimony  of  Friends  at  York  in 
Great  Britain,  in  the  suburbs  whereof,  at  the  house  of 
our  friend  Thomas  Priestman,  he  died  of  the  small- 
pox, on  the  7th  of  the  tenth  month,  1772,  and  was 
buried  in  Friends'  burial-ground  in  that  city,  on  the  Qth 
of  the  same,  after  a  solid  meeting  held  on  the  occasion 
at  their  great  meeting-house.  He  was  aged  near  fifty- 
two,  having  been  a  minister  upwards  of  thirty  years, 
during  which  time  he  belonged  to  Mount  Holly  par- 
ticular meeting,  which  he  diligently  attended  when  at 
home  and  in  health  of  body,  and  his  labors  of  love  and 
pious  care  for  the  prosperity  of  Friends  in  the  blessed 
truth  we  hope  may  not  be  forgotten,  but  that  his  good 
works  may  be  remembered  to  edification. 

Signed  in  and  by  order  of  the  said  meeting,  by 

SAMUEL  ALLISON,  Clerk. 

Read  and  approved  at  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  held 
at  Burlington  the  2Qth  of  the  eighth  month,  1774. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  said  meeting, 

DANIEL  SMITH,  Clerk. 


290  Appendix. 


A  WORD    OF    REMEMBRANCE    AND    CAU- 
TION  TO   THE   RICH. 

[First  printed  in  1793.] 


SECTION  I. 

WEALTH  desired  for  its  own  sake  obstructs  the 
increase  of  virtue,  and  large  possessions  in 
the  hands  of  selfish  men  have  a  bad  tendency,  for 
by  their  means  too  small  a  number  of  people  are  em- 
ployed in  useful  things,  and  some  of  them  are  necessi- 
tated to  labor  too  hard,  while  others  would  want  busi- 
ness to  earn  their  bread,  were  not  employments  invented 
which,  having  no  real  usefulness,  serve  only  to  please 
the  vain  mind. 

Rents  on  lands  are  often  so  high  that  persons  of 
but  small  substance  are  straitened  in  taking  farms,  and 
while  tenants  are  healthy  and  prosperous  in  business, 
they  often  find  occasion  to  labor  harder  than  was  in- 
tended by  our  gracious  Creator.  Oxen  and  horses  are 
often  seen  at  work  when,  through  heat  and  too  much 
labor,  their  eyes  and  the  motions  of  their  bodies  mani- 
fest that  they  are  oppressed.  Their  loads  in  wagons  are 
frequently  so  heavy  that  when  weary  with  hauling  them 
far,  their  drivers  find  occasion  in  going  up  hills,  or 
through  mire,  to  get  them  forward  by  whipping.  Many 
poor  people  are  so  thronged  in  their  business  that  it 
is  difficult  for  them  to  provide  shelter  for  their  cattle 
against  the  storms.  These  things  are  common  when 
in  health,  but  through  sickness  and  inability  to  labor, 


Appendix.  291 

through  loss  of  cattle,  and  miscarriage  in  business, 
many  are  so  straitened  that  much  of  their  increase  goes 
to  pay  rent,  and  they  have  not  wherewith  to  buy  what 
they  require. 

Hence  one  poor  woman,  in  providing  for  her  family 
and  attending  the  sick,  does  as  much  business  as  would 
for  the  time  be  suitable  employment  for  two  or  three  ; 
and  honest  persons  are  often  straitened  to  give  their 
children  suitable  learning.  The  money  which  the 
wealthy  receive  from  the  poor,  who  do  more  than  a 
proper  share  of  business  in  raising  it,  is  frequently 
paid  to  other  poor  people  for  doing  business  which  is 
foreign  to  the  true  use  of  things.  Men  who  have  large 
estates  and  live  in  the  spirit  of  charity  ;  who  carefully 
inspect  the  circumstances  of  those  who  occupy  their 
estates,  and,  regardless  of  the  customs  of  the  times, 
regulate  their  demands  agreeably  to  universal  love, 
being  righteous  on  principle,  do  good  to  the  poor 
without  placing  it  to  an  act  of  bounty.  Their  example 
in  avoiding  superfluities  tends  to  excite  moderation  in 
others  ;  their  uprightness  in  not  exacting  what  the 
laws  and  customs  would  support  them  in  tends  to 
open  the  channel  to  moderate  labor  in  useful  affairs, 
and  to  discourage  those  branches  of  business  which 
have  not  their  foundation  in  true  wisdom. 

To  be  busied  in  that  which  is  but  vanity  and  serves 
only  to  please  the  insatiable  mind,  tends  to  an  alliance 
with  those  who  promote  that  vanity,  and  is  a  snare  in 
which  many  poor  tradesmen  are  entangled.  To  be 
employed  in  things  connected  with  virtue  is  most 
agreeable  with  the  character  and  inclinations  of  an 
honest  man.  While  industrious,  frugal  people  are 
borne  down  with  poverty,  and  oppressed  with  too 
much  labor  in  useful  things,  the  way  to  apply  money 
without  promoting  pride  and  vanity  remains  open  to 


292  Appendix. 

such  as  truly  sympathize  with  them  in  their  various 
difficulties. 

SECTION  II. 

The  Creator  of  the  earth  is  the  owner  of  it.  He  gave 
us  being  thereon,  and  our  nature  requires  nourishment 
from  the  produce  of  it.  He  is  kind  and  merciful  to  his 
creatures  ;  and  while  they  live  answerably  to  the  de- 
sign of  their  creation,  they  are  so  far  entitled  to  con- 
venient subsistence  that  we  may  not  justly  deprive 
them  of  it.  By  the  agreements  and  contracts  of  our 
predecessors,  and  by  our  own  doings,  some  enjoy  a 
much  greater  share  of  this  world  than  others  ;  and 
while  those  possessions  are  faithfully  improved  for  the 
good  vof  the  whole,  it  agrees  with  equity ;  but  he  who, 
with  a  view  to  self-exaltation,  causeth  some  to  labor 
immoderately,  and  with  the  profits  arising  therefrom 
employs  others  in  the  luxuries  of  life,  acts  contrary  to 
the  gracious  designs  of  Him  who  is  the  owner  of  the 
earth  ;  nor  can  any  possessions,  either  acquired  or  de- 
rived from  ancestors,  justify  such  conduct.  Goodness 
remains  to  be  goodness,  and  the  direction  of  pure  wis- 
dom is  obligatory  on  all  reasonable  creatures. 

Though  the  poor  occupy  our  estates  by  a  bargain,  to 
which  they  in  their  poor  circumstances  agree,  and  we 
may  ask  even  less  than  a  punctual  fulfilling  of  their 
agreement,  yet  if  our  views  are  to  lay  up  riches,  or  to 
live  in  conformity  to  customs  which  have  not  their 
foundation  in  the  truth,  and  our  demands  are  such  as 
require  from  them  greater  toil  or  application  to  busi- 
ness than  is  consistent  with  pure  love,  we  invade  their 
rights  as  inhabitants  of  a  world  of  which  a  good  and 
gracious  God  is  the  proprietor,  and  under  whom  we 
are  tenants. 

Were  all  superfluities  and  the  desire  of  outward 


Appendix.  293 

greatness  laid  aside,  and  the  right  use  of  things  uni- 
versally attended  to,  such  a  number  of  people  might  be 
employed  in  things  useful  as  that  moderate  labor  with 
the  blessing  of  Heaven  would  answer  all  good  purposes, 
and  a  sufficient  number  would  have  time  to  attend  to 
the  proper  affairs  of  civil  society. 

SECTION  III. 

While  our  spirits  are  lively,  we  go  cheerfully  through 
business  ;  either  too  much  or  too  little  action  is  tire- 
some, but  a  right  portion  is  healthful  to  the  body  and 
agreeable  to  an  honest  mind. 

Men  who  have  great  estates  stand  in  a  place  of  trust ; 
and  to  have  it  in  their  power  to  live  without  difficulty 
in  that  manner  which  occasions  much  labor,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  confine  themselves  to  that  use  of  things 
prescribed  by  our  Redeemer,  and,  confirmed  by  his 
example  and  the  examples  of  many  who  lived  in  the 
early  age  of  the  Christian  church,  that  they  may  more 
extensively  relieve  objects  of  charity,  requires  close 
attention  to  Divine  love. 

Our  gracious  Creator  cares  and  provides  for  all  his 
creatures.  His  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  wqrks, 
and  so  far  as  true  love  influences  our  minds,  so  far  we 
become  interested  in  his  workmanship  and  feel  a  desire 
to  make  use  of  every  opportunity  to  lessen  the  dis- 
tresses of  the  afflicted  and  to  increase  the  happiness  of 
the  creation.  Here  we  have  a  prospect  of  one  common 
interest  from  which  our  own  is  inseparable,  so  that  to 
turn  all  we  possess  into  the  channel  of  universal  love 
becomes  the  business  of  our  lives. 

Men  of  large  estates,  whose  hearts  are  thus  enlarged, 
are  like  fathers  to  the  poor ;  and  in  looking  over  their 
brethren  in  distressed  circumstances,  and  considering 


294  Appendix. 

their  own  more  easy  condition,  they  find  a  field  for 
humble  meditation,  and  feel  the  strength  of  the  obliga- 
tions they  are  under  to  be  kind  and  tender-hearted  to- 
wards them.  Poor  men,  eased  of  their  burdens  and  re- 
leased from  too  close  an  application  to  business,  are  ena- 
bled to  hire  assistance,  to  provide  well  for  their  cattle, 
and  to  find  time  to  perform  those  duties  among  their 
neighbors  which  belong  to  a  well-guided  social  life. 
When  the  latter  reflect  on  the  opportunity  such  had  to 
oppress  them,  and  consider  the  goodness  of  their  con- 
duct, they  behold  it  lovely  and  consistent  with  brother- 
hood ;  and  as  the  man  whose  mind  is  conformed  to 
universal  love  hath  his  trust  settled  in  God  and  finds  a 
firm  foundation  in  any  changes  or  revolutions  that 
happen  among  men,  so  also  the  goodness  of  his  con- 
duct tends  to  spread  a  kind,  benevolent  disposition  in 
the  world. 

SECTION  IV. 

Our  blessed  Redeemer,  in  directing  us  how  to  con- 
duct ourselves  one  towards  another,  appeals  to  our 
own  feelings  :  "  Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should 
do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them."  Now,  when  some 
who  have  never  experienced  hard  labor  themselves 
live  in  fulness  on  the  labor  of  others,  there  is  often  a 
danger  of  their  not  having  a  right  feeling  of  the  labor- 
ers' condition,  and  of  being  thereby  disqualified  to  judge 
candidly  in  their  case,  not  knowing  what  they  them- 
selves would  desire,  were  they  to  labor  hard  from  one 
year  to  another  to  raise  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  pay 
high  rent  besides.  It  is  good  for  those  who  live  in  ful- 
ness to  cultivate  tenderness  of  heart,  and  to  improve 
every  opportunity  of  being  acquainted  with  the  hard- 
ships and  fatigues  of  those  who  labor  for  their  living  ; 
and  thus  to  think  seriously  with  themselves,  Am  I 


Appendix.  295 

influenced  by  true  charity  in  fixing  all  my  demands  ? 
Have  I  no  desire  to  support  myself  in  expensive  cus- 
toms, because  my  acquaintances  live  in  such  customs  ? 
If  a  wealthy  man,  on  serious  reflection,  finds  a  wit- 
ness in  his  own  conscience  that  he  indulges  himself  in 
some  expensive  customs  which  might  be  omitted  con- 
sistently with  the  true  design  of  living,  and  which, 
were  he  to  change  places  with  those  who  occupy  his 
estate,  he  would  desire  to  be  discontinued  by  them  ; 
whoever  is  thus  awakened  will  necessarily  find  the 
injunction  binding :  "  Do  ye  even  so  to  them."  Di- 
vine love  imposeth  no  rigorous  or  unreasonable  com- 
mands, but  graciously  points  out  the  spirit  of  brother- 
hood and  the  way  to  happiness,  in  attaining  which  it  is 
necessary  that  we  relinquish  all  that  is  selfish. 

SECTION  V. 

To  enforce  the  duty  of  tenderness  to  the  poor,  the 
inspired  law-giver  referred  the  children  of  Israel  to 
their  own  experience  :  "  Ye  know  the  heart  of  a  stran- 
ger, seeing  ye  were  strangers  in  the  land  of  Egypt." 
He  who  hath  been  a  stranger  among  unkind  people,  or 
under  the  government  of  those  who  were  hard-hearted, 
has  experienced  this  feeling;  but  a  person  who  hath 
never  felt  the  weight  of  misapplied  power  comes  not  to 
this  knowledge  but  by  an  inward  tenderness,  in  which 
the  heart  is  prepared  to  sympathize  with  others. 

Let  us  reflect  on  the  condition  of  a  poor  innocent 
man,  on  whom  the  rich  man,  from  a  desire  after  wealth 
and  luxuries,  lays  heavy  burdens ;  when  this  laborer 
looks  over  the  cause  of  his  heavy  toil  and  considers 
that  it  is  laid  on  him  to  support  that  which  hath  no 
foundation  in  pure  wisdom,  we  may  well  suppose  that 
an  uneasiness  ariseth  in  his  mind  towards  one  who 


296  Appendix. 

might  without  any  inconvenience  deal  more  favorably 
with  him.  When  he  considers  that  by  his  industry  his 
fellow-creature  is  benefited  and  sees  that  this  wealthy 
man  is  not  satisfied  with  being  supported  in  a  plain 
way,  but  to  gratify  a  desire  of  conforming  to  wrong  cus- 
toms increased"!  to  an  extreme  the  labors  of  those  who 
occupy  his  estate,  we  may  reasonably  judge  that  he 
will  think  himself  unkindly  used.  When  he  considers 
that  the  proceedings  of  the  wealthy  are  agreeable  to 
the  customs  of  the  times,  and  sees  no  means  of  redress 
in  this  world,  how  will  the  sighings  of  this  innocent 
person  ascend  to  the  throne  of  that  great  and  good 
Being  who  created  all,  and  who  hath  a  constant  care 
over  his  creatures  !  He  who  toils  year  after  year  to 
furnish  others  with  wealth  and  superfluities,  until  by 
overmuch  labor  he  is  wearied  and  oppressed,  under- 
stands the  meaning  of  that  language,  "  Ye  know  the 
heart  of  a  stranger,  seeing  ye  were  strangers  in  the 
land  of  Egypt." 

Many  at  this  day  who  know  not  the  heart  of  a  stran- 
ger indulge  themselves  in  ways  of  life  which  occasion 
more  labor  than  Infinite  Goodness  intends  for  man,  and 
yet  compassionate  the  distresses  of  such  as  come  di- 
rectly under  their  observation  ;  were  these  to  change 
circumstances  awhile  with  their  laborers,  were  they  to 
pass  regularly  through  the  means  of  knowing  the  heart 
of  a  stranger  and  come  to  a  feeling  knowledge  of  the 
straits  and  hardships  which  many  poor  innocent  people 
pass  through  in  obscure  life  ;  were  these  who'  now  fare 
sumptuously  every  day  to  act  the  other  part  of  the 
scene  until  seven  times  had  passed  over  them  and  re- 
turn again  to  their  former  states,  —  I  believe  many  of 
them  would  embrace  a  less  expensive  life,  and  would 
lighten  the  heavy  burdens  of  some  who  now  labor  out 
of  their  sight,  and  who  pass  through  straits  with 


Appendix.  297 

which  they  are  but  little  acquainted.  To  see  their  fel- 
low-creatures under  difficulties  to  which  they  are  in  no 
degree  accessory  tends  to  awaken  tenderness  in  the 
minds  of  all  reasonable  people  ;  but  if  we  consider  the 
condition  of  those  who  are  depressed  in  answering  our 
demands,  who  labor  for  us  out  of  our  sight  while  we 
pass  our  time  in  fulness,  and  consider  also  that  much 
less  than  we  demand  would  supply  us  with  things 
really  useful,  what  heart  will  not  relent,  or  what  rea- 
sonable man  can  refrain  from  mitigating  that  grief  of 
which  he  himself  is  the  cause,  when  he  may  do  so 
without  inconvenience  ? 

SECTION  VI. 

If  more  men  were  usefully  employed,  and  fewer  ate 
bread  as  a  reward  for  doing  that  which  is  not  useful, 
food  and  raiment  would  on  a  reasonable  estimate  be 
more  in  proportion  to  labor  than  they  are  at  present ;  for 
if  four  men  working  eight  hours  per  day  can  do  a  por- 
tion of  labor  in  a  certain  number  of  days,  then  five  men 
equally  capable  may  do  the  same  business  in  the  same 
time  by  working  only  six  hours  and  twenty-four  min- 
utes per  day.  In  proceeding  agreeably  to  sound  wis- 
dom, a  small  portion  of  daily  labor  might  suffice  to 
keep  a  proper  stream  gently  circulating  through  all  the 
channels  of  society  ;  and  this  portion  of  labor  might  be 
so  divided  and  taken  in  the  most  advantageous  parts 
of  the  day  that  people  would  not  have  that  plea  for  the 
use  of  strong  liquors  which  they  have  at  present.  The 
quantity  of  spirituous  liquors  imported  and  made  in 
our  country  is  great ;  nor  can  so  many  thousand  hogs- 
heads of  it  be  drunk  every  year  without  having  a  power- 
ful effect  on  our  habits  and  morals. 

People  spent  with  much  labor  often  take  strong 
13* 


298  Appendix. 

liquor  to  revive  them.  The  portion  of  the  necessaries 
of  life  is  such  that  those  who  support  their  families  by 
day  labor  find  occasion  to  labor  hard,  and  many  of 
them  think  strong  drink  a  necessary  part  of  their  en- 
tertainment. 

When  people  are  spent  with  action  and  take  these 
liquors  not  only  as  a  refreshment  from  past  labors,  but 
also  to  enable  them  to  go  on  without  giving  sufficient 
time  to  recruit  by  resting,  it  gradually  turns  them  from 
that  calmness  of  thought  which  attends  those  who  ap- 
ply their  hearts  to  true  wisdom.  That  the  spirits  being 
scattered  by  too  much  bodily  motion  and  again  revived 
by  strong  drink  makes  a  person  unfit  for  Divine  medi- 
tation, I  suppose  will  not  be  denied  ;  and  as  multitudes 
of  people  are  in  this  practice  who  do  not  take  so  much 
as  to  hinder  them  from  managing  their  affairs,  this  cus- 
tom is  strongly  supported ;  but  as  through  Divine 
goodness  I  have  found  that  there  is  a  more  quiet,  calm, 
and  happy  way  intended  for  us  to  walk  in,  I  am  en- 
gaged to  express  what  I  feel  in  my  heart  concerning  it. 
As  cherishing  the  spirit  of  love  and  meekness  belongs 
to  the  family  of  Jesus  Christ,  so  to  avoid  those  things 
which  are  known  to  work  against  it  is  an  indispensable 
duty.  Every  degree  of  luxury  of  what  kind  soever,  and 
every  demand  for  money  inconsistent  with  Divine  or- 
der, hath  some  connection  with  unnecessary  labor.  By 
too  much  labor  the  spirits  are  exhausted,  and  nature 
craves  help  from  strong  drink ;  and  the  frequent  use  of 
strong  drink  works  in  opposition  to  the  celestial  influ- 
ence on  the  mind.  There  is  in  the  nature  of  people 
some  degree  of  likeness  with  that  food  and  air  to  which 
they  have  been  accustomed  from  their  youth  ;  this  fre- 
quently appears  in  those  who,  by  a  separation  from 
their  native  air  and  usual  diet,  grow  weak  and  unhealthy 
for  want  of  them  ;  nor  is  it  reasonable  to  suppose  that 


Appendix.  299 

so  many  thousand  hogsheads  of  fiery  liquor  can  be 
drunk  every  year  and  the  practice  continued  from  age 
to  age  without  altering  in  some  degree  the  natures  of 
men  and  rendering  their  minds  less  apt  to  receive  the 
pure  truth  in  the  love  of  it. 

As  many  who  manifest  some  regard  to  piety  in  de- 
gree conform  to  those  ways  of  living  and  of  collecting 
wealth  which  increase  labor  beyond  the  bounds  fixed 
by  Divine  wisdom,  my  desire  is  that  they  may  so  con- 
sider the  connection  of  things  as  to  take  heed  lest  by 
exacting  of  poor  men  more  than  is  consistent  with  uni- 
versal righteousness  they  promote  that  by  their  con- 
duct which  in  word  they  speak  against  To  treasure 
up  wealth  for  another  generation  by  means  of  the  im- 
moderate labor  of  those  who  in  some  measure  depend 
upon  us  is  doing  evil  at  present  without  knowing  that 
wealth  thus  gathered  may  not  be  applied  to  evil  pur- 
poses when  we  are  gone.  To  labor  hard  or  cause 
others  to  do  so  that  we  may  live  conformably  to  cus- 
toms which  Christ  our  Redeemer  discountenanced  by 
his  example  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  and  which  are  con- 
trary to  Divine  order,  is  to  manure  a  soil  for  propagat- 
ing an  evil  seed  in  the  earth.  They  who  enter  deeply 
into  these  considerations  and  live  under  the  weight  of 
them  will  feel  these  things  so  heavy  and  their  ill  effects 
so  extensive  that  the  necessity  of  attending  singly  to 
Divine  wisdom  will  be  evident ;  and  will  thereby  be 
directed  in  the  right  use  of  things  in  opposition  to  the 
customs  of  the  times  ;  and  will  be  supported  to  bear 
patiently  the  reproaches  attending  singularity.  To 
conform  a  little  strengthens  the  hands  of  those  who 
carry  wrong  customs  to  their  utmost  extent ;  and  the 
more  a  person  appears  to  be  virtuous  and  heavenly- 
minded,  the  more  powerfully  does  his  conformity  ope- 
rate in  favor  of  evil-doers.  Lay  aside  the  profession  of 


3OO  Appendix. 

a  pious  life,  and  people  expect  little  or  no  instruction 
from  the  example  ;  but  while  we  profess  in  all  cases  to 
live  in  constant  opposition  to  that  which  is  contrary  to 
universal  righteousness,  what  expressions  are  equal 
to  the  subject,  or  what  language  is  sufficient  to  set  forth 
the  strength  of  the  obligations  we  are  under  to  beware 
lest  by  our  example  we  lead  others  astray  ! 

SECTION  VII.  ( 

If  by  our  wealth  we  make  our  children  great,  without 
a  full  persuasion  that  we  could  not  bestow  it  better,  and 
thus  give  them  power  to  deal  hardly  with  others  more 
virtuous  than  they,  it  can  after  death  give  us  no  more 
satisfaction  than  if  by  this  treasure  we  had  raised 
others  above  our  own,  and  had  given  them  power  to 
oppress  them. 

Did  a  man  possess  as  much  land  as  would  suffice  for 
twenty  industrious  frugal  people,  and  supposing  that, 
being  the  lawful  heir  to  it,  he  intended  to  give  this 
great  estate  to  his  children  ;  yet  if  he  found  on  research 
into  the  title  that  one  half  of  this  estate  was  the  un- 
doubted right  of  a  number  of  poor  orphans,  who  as  to 
virtue  and  understanding  appeared  to  him  as  hopeful 
as  his  own  children,  the  discovery  would  give  him  an  j 
opportunity  to  consider  whether  he  was  attached  to 
any  interest  distinct  from  the  interest  of  those  or- 
phans. 

Some  of  us  have  estates  sufficient  for  our  children, 
and  as  many  more  to  live  upon,  if  they  all  employed 
their  time  in  useful  business,  and  lived  in  that  plainness 
which  becomes  the  true  disciples  of  Christ;  and  we 
have  no  reason  to  believe  that  our  children  will  be 
more  likely  to  apply  them  to  benevolent  purposes  than 
would  some  poor  children  with  whom  we  are  ac- 


Appendix.  301 

quainted  ;  and  yet  did  we  believe  that  after  our  de- 
cease our  estates  would  go  equally  among  our  chil- 
dren and  the  children  of  the  poor,  it  would  be  likely  to 
give  us  uneasiness.  This  may  show  to  a  thoughtful 
person  that  to  be  redeemed  from  all  the  remains  of 
selfishness,  to  have  a  universal  regard  to  our  fellow- 
creatures,  and  to  love  them  as  our  Heavenly  Father 
loves  them,  we  must  constantly  attend  to  the  influence 
of  his  spirit. 

When  our  hearts  are  enlarged  to  contemplate  the 
nature  of  Divine  love,  we  behold  it  harmonious  ;  but 
if  we  attentively  consider  that  moving  of  selfishness 
which  makes  us  uneasy  at  the  apprehension  of  that 
which  is  in  itself  reasonable,  and  which,  when  separated 
from  all  previous  conceptions  and  expectations,  appears 
so,  we  see  an  inconsistency  in  it,  for  the  subject  of 
such  uneasiness  is  future,  and  will  not  affect  our  chil- 
dren until  we  are  removed  into  that  state  of  being  in 
which  there  is  no  possibility  of  our  taking  delight  in 
anything  contrary  to  the  pure  principle  of  universal 
love. 

As  that  natural  desire  of  superiority  in  us,  when  given 
way  to,  extends  to  such  of  our  favorites  as  we  expect 
will  succeed  us  ;  and  as  the  grasping  after  wealth  and 
power  for  them  adds  greatly  to  the  burdens  of  the 
poor,  and  increaseth  the  evil  of  covetousness  in  this 
age,  —  I  have  often  desired  that  in  looking  towards  pos- 
terity we  may  remember  the  purity  of  that  rest  which  is 
prepared  for  the  Lord's  people  ;  the  impossibility  of 
our  taking  pleasure  in  anything  distinguishable  from 
universal  righteousness  ;  and  how  vain  and  weak  it  is 
to  give  wealth  and  power  to  those  who  appear  unlikely 
to  apply  it  to  the  general  good  when  we  are  gone. 

As  Christians,  all  we  possess  is  the  gift  of  God,  and 
in  the  distribution  of  it  we  act  as  his  stewards  ;  it  be- 


3<D2  Appendix. 

comes  us  therefore  to  act  agreeably  to  that  Divine  wis- 
dom which  he  graciously  gives  to  his  servants.  If  the 
steward  of  a  great  family  takes  that  with  which  he  is 
intrusted,  and  bestows  it  lavishly  on  some  to  the  in- 
jury of  others  and  to  the  damage  of  his  employer,  he 
degrades  himself  and  becomes  unworthy  of  his  office. 

The  true  felicity  of  man  in  this  life  and  in  that  which 
is  to  come,  is  in  being  inwardly  united  to  the  Fountain 
of  universal  love  and  bliss.  When  we  provide  for  pos- 
terity, and  make  settlements  which  will  not  take  effect 
until  after  we  are  centred  in  another  state  of  being,  if 
we  therein  knowingly  act  contrary  to  universal  love 
and  righteousness,  such  conduct  must  arise  from  a 
false,  selfish  pleasure  ;  and  if,  after  such  settlements, 
our  wills  continue  to  stand  in  opposition  to  the  Foun- 
tain of  universal  light  and  love,  will  there  not  be  an 
impassable  gulf  between  the  soul  and  true  felicity  ? 
But  if  after  such  settlement,  and  when  too  late  for  an 
alteration,  we  attain  to  that  purified  state  which  our 
Redeemer  prayed  his  Father  that  his  people  might 
attain  to,  of  being  united  to  the  Father  and  to  the  Son, 
must  not  a  sincere  repentance  for  all  things  done  in  a 
will  separate  from  universal  love,  precede  this  inward 
sanctification  ?  And  though  in  such  depth  of  repent- 
ance and  reconciliation  all  sins  may  be  forgiven,  can; 
we  reasonably  suppose  that  our  partial  determinations 
in  favor  of  those  whom  we  selfishly  loved  will  then 
afford  us  pleasure  ? 

SECTION  VIII. 

To  labor  for  an  establishment  in  Divine  love,  in  which 
the  mind  is  disentangled  from  the  power  of  darkness,  is 
the  great  business  of  man's  life  ;  the  collecting  of  riches, 
covering  the  body  with  fine  wrought,  costly  apparel,  and 


Appendix.  303 

having  magnificent  furniture,  operate  against  universal 
love  and  tend  to  feed  self,  so  that  it  belongs  not  to  the 
children  of  the  light  to  desire  these  things.  He  who 
sent  ravens  to  feed  Elijah  in  the  wilderness,  and  in- 
creased the  poor  woman's  small  remains  of  meal  and 
oil,  is  now  as  attentive  as  ever  to  the  necessities  of  his 
people.  When  he  saith  unto  his  people,  "  Ye  are  my 
sons  and  daughters,"  no  greater  happiness  can  be  de- 
sired by  them,  who  know  how  gracious  a  Father  he  is. 

The  greater  part  of  the  necessaries  of  life  are  so  far 
perishable  that  each  generation  hath  occasion  to  labor 
for  them  ;  and  when  we  look  towards  a  succeeding  age 
with  a  mind  influenced  by  universal  love,  instead  of 
endeavoring  to  exempt  some  from  those  cares  which 
necessarily  relate  to  this  life,  and  to  give  them  power 
to  oppress  others,  we  desire  that  they  may  all  be  the 
Lord's  children  and  live  in  that  humility  and  order  be- 
coming his  family.  Our  hearts,  being  thus  opened  and 
enlarged,  will  feel  content  with  a  state  of  things  as 
foreign  to  luxury  and  grandeur  as  that  which  our  Re- 
deemer laid  down  as  a  pattern. 

By  desiring  wealth  for  the  power  and  distinction  it 
gives,  and  gathering  it  on  this  motive,  a  person  may 
become  rich  ;  but  his  mind  being  moved  by  a  draught 
distinguishable  from  the  drawings  of  the  Father,  he 
cannot  be  united  to  the  heavenly  society,  where  God 
is  the  strength  of  our  life.  "  It  is  easier,"  saith  our 
Saviour,  "for  a  camel  to  go  through  the  eye  of  a 
needle  than  for  a  rich  man  to  enter  the  kingdom  of 
God."  Here  our  Lord  uses  an  instructive  similitude, 
for  as  a  camel  while  in  that  form  cannot  pass  through 
the  eye  of  a  needle,  so  a  man  who  trusteth  in  riches, 
and  holds  them  for  the  sake  of  the  power  and  distinc- 
tion attending  them,  cannot  in  that  spirit  enter  into  the 
kingdom.  Now  every  part  of  a  camel  may  be  so  re- 


304  Appendix. 

duced  as  to  pass  through  a  hole  as  small  as  the  eye  of 
a  needle  ;  yet  such  is  the  bulk  of  the  creature  and  the 
hardness  of  its  bones  and  teeth,  that  it  could  not  be  so 
reduced  without  much  labor  ;  so  must  man  cease  from 
that  spirit  which  craves  riches,  and  be  brought  into 
another  disposition  before  he  inherits  the  kingdom,  as 
effectually  as  a  camel  must  be  changed  from  the  form 
of  a  camel  in  passing  through  the  eye  of  a  needle. 

When  our  Saviour  said  to  the  rich  youth,  "  Go,  sell 
what  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the  poor,"  though  undoubt- 
edly it  was  his  duty  to  have  done  so,  yet  to  enjoin  the 
selling  of  all  as  a  duty  on  every  true  Christian  would  be 
to  limit  the  Holy  One.  Obedient  children,  who  are  in- 
trusted with  much  outward  substance,  wait  for  wisdom 
to  dispose  of  it  agreeably  to  His  will,  "  in  whom  the 
fatherless  find  mercy."  It  may  not  be  the  duty  of 
every  one  to  commit  at  once  their  substance  to  other 
hands,  but  rather  from  time  to  time  to  look  round  among 
the  numerous  branches  of  the  great  family  as  the  stew- 
ards of  Him  who  provides  for  the  widows  and  fatherless  ; 
but  as  disciples  of  Christ,  although  intrusted  with  much 
goods,  they  may  not  conform  to  sumptuous  or  luxurious 
living;  for,  as  he  lived  in  perfect  plainness  and  sim- 
plicity, the  greatest  in  his  family  cannot  by  virtue  of 
his  station  claim  a  right  to  live  in  worldly  grandeur 
without  contradicting  him  who  said,  "  It  is  enough 
for  the  disciple  to  be  as  his  Master/' 

When  our  eyes  are  so  single  as  to  discern  the  selfish 
spirit  clearly,  we  behold  it  the  greatest  of  all  tyrants. 
Many  thousand  innocent  people  under  some  of  the 
Roman  emperors,  being  confirmed  in  the  truth  of 
Christ's  religion  by  the  powerful  effects  of  his  Holy 
Spirit  upon  them,  and  scrupling  to  conform  to  heathen- 
ish rites,  were  put  to  death  by  various  kinds  of  cruel  and 
lingering  torments,  as  is  largely  set  forth  by  Eusebius. 


Appendix.  305 

Now,  if  we  single  out  Domitian,  Nero,  or  any  other 
of  the  persecuting  emperors,  the  man,  though  terrible 
in  his  time,  will  appear  as  a  tyrant  of  small  consequence 
compared  with  this  selfish  spirit ;  for,  though  his 
bounds  were  large,  yet  a  great  part  of  the  world  was 
out  of  his  reach  ;  and  though  he  grievously  afflicted 
the  bodies  of  innocent  people,  yet  the  minds  of  many 
were  divinely  supported  in  their  greatest  agonies,  and 
being  faithful  unto  death  they  were  delivered  from 
his  tyranny.  His  reign,  though  cruel  for  a  time,  was 
soon  over ;  and  he  in  his  greatest  pomp  appears  to 
have  been  a  slave  to  a  selfish  spirit. 

Thus  tyranny  as  applied  to  a  man  riseth  up  and  soon 
has  an  end  ;  but  if  we  consider  the  numerous  oppres- 
sions in  many  states,  and  the  calamities  occasioned  by 
contending  nations  in  various  countries  and  ages  of  the 
world,  and  remember  that  selfishness  hath  been  the 
original  cause  of  them  all ;  if  we  consider  that  those 
who  are  unredeemed  from  this  selfish  spirit  not  only 
afflict  others  but  are  afflicted  themselves,  and  have  no 
real  quietness  in  this  life  nor  in  futurity,  but,  according 
to  the  sayings  of  Christ,  have  their  portion  "where 
the  worm  dieth  not  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched  "  ;  if 
we  consider  the  havoc  that  is  made  in  this  age,  and 
how  numbers  of  people  are  hurried  on,  striving  to  col- 
lect treasure  to  please  that  mind  which  wanders  from 
perfect  resignedness,  and  in  that  wisdom  which  is 
foolishness  with  God  are  perverting  the  true  use  of 
things,  laboring  as  in  the  fire,  contending  with  one 
another  even  unto  blood,  and  exerting  their  power  to 
support  ways  of  living  foreign  to  the  life  of  one  wholly 
crucified  to  the  world  ;  if  we  consider  what  great  num- 
bers of  people  are  employed  in  preparing  implements 
of  war,  and  the  labor  and  toil  of  armies  set  apart  for 
protecting  their  respective  territories  from  invasion, 

T 


306  Appendix. 

and  the  extensive  miseries  which  attend  their  engage- 
ments ;  while  they  who  till  the  land  and  are  employed 
in  other  useful  things  in  supporting  not  only  themselves 
but  those  employed  in  military  affairs,  and  also  those  who 
own  the  soil,  have  great  hardships  to  encounter  through 
too  much  labor;  while  others,  in  several  kingdoms,  are 
busied  in  fetching  men  to  help  to  labor  from  distant 
parts  of  the  world,  to  spend  the  remainder  of  their  lives 
in  the  uncomfortable  condition  of  slaves,  and  that  self 
is  the  bottom  of  these  proceedings  ; — amidst  all  this 
confusion,  and  these  scenes  of  sorrow  and  distress,  can 
we  remember  that  we  are  the  disciples  of  the  Prince  of 
Peace,  and  the  example  of  humility  and  plainness  which 
he  set  for  us,  without  feeling  an  earnest  desire  to  be 
disentangled  from  everything  connected  with  selfish  cus- 
toms in  food,  in  raiment,  in  houses  and  in  all  things 
else  ?  That  being  of  Christ's  family,  and  walking  as 
he  walked,  we  may  stand  in  that  uprightness  wherein 
man  was  first  made,  and  have  no  fellowship  with  those 
inventions  which  men  in  their  fallen  wisdom  have 
sought  out. 

SECTION  IX. 

The  way  of  carrying  on  wars  common  in  the  world  is 
so  far  distinguishable  from  the  purity  of  Christ's  reli- 
gion that  many  scruple  to  join  in  them.  Those  who  are 
so  redeemed  from  the  love  of  the  world  as  to  possess 
nothing  in  a  selfish  spirit  have  their  "  life  hid  with 
Christ  in  God,"  and  he  preserves  them  in  resigned- 
ness,  even  in  times  of  commotion. 

As  they  possess  nothing  but  what  pertains  to  his 
family,  anxious  thoughts  about  wealth  or  dominion 
have  little  or  nothing  in  them  on  which  to  work ;  and 
they  learn  contentment  in  being  disposed  of  according 
to  His  will  who,  being  omnipotent  and  always  mindful 


Appendix.  307 

of  his  children,  causeth  all  things  to  work  for  their 
good  ;  but  when  that  spirit  works  which  loves  riches, 
and  in  its  working  gathers  wealth  and  cleaves  to 
customs  which  have  their  root  in  self-pleasing,  what- 
ever name  it  hath  it  still  desires  to  defend  the  treasures 
thus  gotten.  This  is  like  a  chain  in  which  the  end  of 
one  link  encloseth  the  end  of  another.  The  rising  up 
of  a  desire  to  obtain  wealth  is  the  beginning  ;  this  de- 
sire being  cherished,  moves  to  action  ;  and  riches  thus 
gotten  please  self;  and  while  self  has  a  life  in  them  it 
desires  to  have  them  defended.  Wealth  is  attended 
with  power,  by  which  bargains  and  proceedings  con- 
trary to  universal  righteousness  are  supported  ;  and 
hence  oppression,  carried  on  with  worldly  policy  and 
order,  clothes  itself  with  the  name  of  justice  and  be- 
comes like  a  seed  of  discord  in  the  soul.  And  as  a 
spirit  which  wanders  from  the  pure  habitation  prevails, 
so  the  seeds  of  war  swell  and  sprout  and  grow  and  be- 
come strong  until  much  fruit  is  ripened.  Then  cometh 
the  harvest  spoken  of  by  the  prophet,  which  "is  a  heap 
in  the  day  of  grief  and  desperate  sorrows."  O  that  we 
who  declare  against  wars,  and  acknowledge  our  trust  to 
be  in  God  only,  may  walk  in  the  light,  and  therein  ex- 
amine our  foundation  and  motives  in  holding  great 
estates  !  May  we  look  upon  our  treasures,  the  furni- 
ture of  our  houses,  and  our  garments,  and  try  whether 
the  seeds  of  war  have  nourishment  in  these  our  pos- 
sessions. Holding  treasures  in  the  self-pleasing  spirit 
is  a  strong  plant,  the  fruit  whereof  ripens  fast.  A  day 
of  outward  distress  is  coming,  and  Divine  love  calls 
to  prepare  against  it 

SECTION  X. 

"  The  heaven,  even  the  heavens,  are  the  Lord's ;  but 
the  earth  hath  he  given  to  the  children  of  men."    As 


308  Appendix. 

servants  of  God  our  land  or  estates  we  hold  under  him 
as  his  gifts  ;  and  in  applying  the  profits  it  is  our  duty 
to  act  consistently  with  the  designs  of  our  Benefactor. 
Imperfect  men  may  give  from  motives  of  misguided  af- 
fection, but  perfect  wisdom  and  goodness  gives  agree- 
ably to  his  own  nature  ;  nor  is  this  gift  absolute,  but 
conditional,  for  us  to  occupy  as  dutiful  children  and 
not  otherwise  ;  for  He  alone  is  the  true  proprietor. 
"  The  world,"  saith  He,  "  is  mine,  and  the  fulness 
thereof."  The  inspired  lawgiver  directed  that  such  of 
the  Israelites  as  sold  their  inheritance  should  sell  it  for 
a  term  only,  and  that  they  or  their  children  should 
again  enjoy  it  in  the  year  of  jubilee,  settled  on  every  fif- 
tieth year.  "The  land  shall  not  be  sold  forever,  for 
the  land  is  mine,  saith  the  Lord,  for  ye  are  strangers 
and  sojourners  with  me."  This  was  designed  to  pre- 
vent the  rich  from  oppressing  the  poor  by  too  much  en- 
grossing the  land ;  and  our  blessed  Redeemer  said, 
"  Till  heaven  and  earth  pass,  one  jot  or  one  tittle  shall 
in  no  wise  pass  from  the  law,  till  all  be  fulfilled." 

When  Divine  love  takes  place  in  the  hearts  of  any 
people,  and  they  steadily  act  in  a  principle  of  universal 
righteousness,  then  the  true  intent  of  the  law  is  ful- 
filled, though  their  outward  modes  of  proceeding  may 
be  various  ;  but  when  men  are  possessed  by  that  spirit 
hinted  at  by  the  prophet,  and,  looking  over  their  wealth, 
say  in  their  hearts,  "  Have  we  not  taken  to  us  horns  by 
our  own  strength  ?  "  they  deviate  from  the  Divine  law, 
and  do  not  count  their  possessions  so  strictly  God's, 
nor  the  weak  and  poor  entitled  to  so  much  of  the  in- 
crease thereof,  but  that  they  may  indulge  their  desires 
in  conforming  to  worldly  pomp.  Thus  when  house  is 
joined  to  house  and  field  laid  to  field,  until  there  is  no 
place,  and  the  poor  are  thereby  straitened,  though  this 
is  done  by  bargain  and  purchase,  yet  so  far  as  it  stands 


Appendix.  309 

distinguished  from  universal  love,  so  far  that  woe  pre- 
dicted by  the  prophet  will  accompany  their  proceed- 
ings. As  He  who  first  founded  the  earth  was  then  the 
true  proprietor  of  it,  so  he  still  remains,  and  though 
he  hath  given  it  to  the  children  of  men,  so  that  multi- 
tudes of  people  have  had  their  sustenance  from  it  while 
they  continued  here,  yet  he  hath  never  alienated  it, 
but  his  right  is  as  good  as  at  first ;  nor  can  any  apply 
the  increase  of  their  possessions  contrary  to  universal 
love,  nor  dispose  of  lands  in  a  way  which  they  know 
tends  to  exalt  some  by  oppressing  others  without  being 
justly  chargeable  with  usurpation. 

SECTION   XI. 

If  we  count  back  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  and 
compare  the  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain  with  the  na- 
tions of  North  America  on  the  like  compass  of  ground, 
the  latter,  I  suppose,  would  bear  a  small  proportion  to 
the  former.  On  the  discovery  of  this  fertile  continent 
many  of  those  thickly  settled  inhabitants  coming  over, 
the  natives  at  first  generally  treated  them  with  kind- 
ness ;  and  as  they  brought  iron  tools  and  a  variety  of 
things  for  man's  use,  they  gladly  embraced  the  oppor- 
tunity of  traffic  and  encouraged  these  foreigners  to  set- 
tle ;  I  speak  only  of  improvements  made  peaceably. 

Thus  our  Gracious  Father,  who  beholds  the  situation 
of  all  his  creatures,  hath  opened  a  way  for  a  thickly  set- 
tled land  ;  now  if  we  consider  the  turning  of  God's 
hand  in  thus  far  giving  us  some  room  in  this  continent, 
and  that  the  offspring  of  those  ancient  possessors  of  the 
country,  in  whose  eyes  we  appear  as  new-comers,  are 
yet  owners  and  inhabitants  of  the  land  adjoining  us, 
and  that  their  way  of  life,  requiring  much  room,  hath 
been  transmitted  to  them  from  their  predecessors  and 


3io  Appendix. 

probably  settled  by  the  custom  of  a  great  many  ages, 
we  may  see  the  necessity  of  cultivating  the  lands  al- 
ready obtained  of  them  and  applying  the  increase  con- 
sistently with  true  wisdom  so  as  to  accommodate  the 
greatest  number  of  people,  before  we  have  any  right  to 
plead,  as  members  of  the  one  great  family,  the  equity 
of  their  assigning  to  us  more  of  their  possessions  and 
living  in  a  way  requiring  less  room. 

Did  we  all  walk  as  became  the  followers  of  our 
blessed  Saviour,  were  all  the  fruits  of  the  country  re- 
tained in  it  which  are  sent  abroad  in  return  for  strong 
drink,  costly  array,  and  other  luxuries,  and  the  labor 
and  expense  of  importing  and  exporting  applied  to  hus- 
bandry and  useful  trades,  a  much  greater  number  of 
people  than  now  reside  here  might,  with  the  Divine 
blessing,  live  comfortably  on  the  lands  already  granted 
us  by  those  ancient  possessors  of  the  country.  If  we 
faithfully  serve  God,  who  has  given  us  such  room  in 
this  land,  I  believe  he  will  make  some  of  us  useful 
among  the  natives,  both  in  publishing  the  doctrines  of 
his  Son,  our  Saviour,  and  in  pointing  out  to  them  the 
advantages  of  cultivating  the  earth  ;  while  people  are  so 
much  more  thickly  settled  in  some  parts  than  others,  a 
trade  in  some  serviceable  articles  may  be  to  mutual  ad- 
vantage and  may  be  carried  on  with  much  more  regu- 
larity and  satisfaction  to  a  sincere  Christian  than  trade 
now  generally  is. 

One  person  continuing  to  live  contrary  to  true  wis- 
dom commonly  draws  others  into  Connection  with  him, 
and  when  these  embrace  the  way  the  first  hath  chosen, 
their  proceedings  are  like  a  wild  vine  which  springing 
from  a  single  seed  and  growing  strong,  its  branches 
extend,  and  their  little  tendrils  twist  round  all  herbs 
and  boughs  of  trees  within  their  reach,  and  are  so 
braced  and  locked  in  that  without  much  labor  and 


Appendix.  3 1  r 

great  strength  they  are  not  disentangled.  Thus  these 
customs,  small  in  their  beginning,  as  they  increase  pro- 
mote business  and  traffic,  and  many  depend  on  them 
for  a  living  ;  but  it  is  evident  that  all  business  which 
hath  not  its  foundation  in  true  wisdom  is  not  becoming 
a  faithful  follower  of  Christ,  who  loves  God  not  only  with 
all  his  heart,  but  with  all  his  strength  and  ability.  And 
as  the  Lord  is  able  and  will  support  those  whose  hearts 
are  perfect  towards  him  in  a  way  agreeably  to  his  un- 
erring wisdom,  it  becomes  us  to  meditate  on  the  privi- 
leges of  his  children,  to  remember  that  "  where  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty,"  and  that  in  join- 
ing to  customs  which  we  know  are  wrong  there  is  a  de- 
parting from  his  government  and  a  certain  degree  of 
alienation  from  him.  Some  well-inclined  people  are 
entangled  in  such  business,  and  at  times  may  have  a 
desire  of  being  freed  from  it ;  our  ceasing  from  these 
things  may  therefore  be  made  helpful  to  them  ;  and 
though  for  a  time  their  business  may  fail,  yet  if  they 
humbly  ask  wisdom  of  God  and  are  truly  resigned  to 
him,  he  will  not  fail  them  nor  forsake  them.  He  who 
created  the  earth  and  hath  provided  sustenance  for  mil- 
lions of  people  in  past  ages  is  as  attentive  to  the  neces- 
sities of  his  children  as  ever.  To  press  forward  to  per- 
fection is  our  duty  ;  and  if  herein  we  lessen  a  busi- 
ness by  which  some  poor  people  earn  their  bread,  the 
Lord  who  calls  to  cease  from  those  things  will  take 
care  of  those  whose  business  fails  by  it,  if  they  sin- 
cerely seek  him.  If  the  connection  we  have  with  the 
inhabitants  of  these  provinces,  and  our  interest  consid- 
ered as  distinct  from  others,  engage  us  to  promote  plain 
living  in  order  to  enrich  our  country,  though  a  plain 
life  is  in  itself  best,  yet  by  living  plain  in  a  selfish  spirit 
we  advance  not  in  true  religion. 

Divine  love  which  enlarges  the  heart  towards  man- 


312  Appendix. 

kind  universally  is  that  alone  which  stops  every  corrupt 
stream  and  opens  those  channels  of  business  and  com- 
merce in  which  nothing  runs  that  is  not  pure,  and  so 
establishes  our  goings  that  when  in  our  labors  we  medi- 
tate on  the  universal  love  of  God  and  the  harmony  of 
holy  angels,  the  serenity  of  our  minds  may  never  be 
clouded  by  remembering  that  some  part  of  our  employ- 
ments tends  to  support  customs  which  have  their  foun- 
dation in  the  self-seeking  spirit. 

SECTION  XII. 

While  our  minds  are  prepossessed  in  favor  of  cus- 
toms distinguishable  from  perfect  purity,  we  are  in 
danger  of  not  attending  with  singleness  to  that  light 
which  opens  to  our  view  the  nature  of  universal  right- 
eousness. 

In  the  affairs  of  a  thickly  settled  country  are  vari- 
ety of  useful  employments  besides  tilling  the  earth  ;  so 
that  for  some  men  to  have  more  land  than  is  necessary 
to  build  upon  and  to  answer  the  occasions  of  their  fami- 
lies may  consist  with  brotherhood  ;  and  from  the  vari- 
ous gifts  which  God  hath  bestowed  on  those  employed 
in  husbandry,  for  some  to  possess  and  occupy  much 
more  than  others  may  likewise  so  consist ;  but  when 
any,  on  the  strength  of  their  possessions,  demand  such 
rent  or  interest  as  necessitates  their  tenants  to  a  closer 
application  to  business  than  our  merciful  Father  de- 
signed for  us,  it  puts  the  wheels  of  perfect  brotherhood 
out  of  order  and  leads  to  employments  the  promoting 
of  which  belongs  not  to  the  family  of  Christ,  whose  ex- 
ample in  all  points  being  a  pattern  of  wisdom,  the  plain- 
ness and  simplicity  of  his  outward  appearance  may  well 
make  us  ashamed  to  adorn  our  bodies  with  costly  array 
or  treasure  up  wealth  by  the  least  oppression. 


Appendix.  313 

Though  by  claims  grounded  on  prior  possession 
great  inequality  appears  among  men  ;  yet  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  Great  Proprietor  of  the  earth  are  necessary 
to  be  attended  to  in  all  our  proceedings  as  possessors 
or  claimers  of  the  soil.  "  The  steps  of  a  good  man  are 
ordered  of  the  Lord,"  and  those  who  are  thus  guided 
and  whose  hearts  are  enlarged  in  his  love  give  direc- 
tions concerning  their  possessions  agreeably  thereto  ± 
and  that  claim  which  stands  on  universal  righteousness 
is  a  good  right ;  but  the  continuance  of  that  right  de- 
pends on  properly  applying  the  profits  thereof.  The 
word  "  right "  commonly  relates  to  our  possessions. 
We  say,  a  right  of  propriety  to  such  a  division  of  a 
province,  or  a  clear,  indisputable  right  to  the  land  within 
certain  bounds.  Thus  this  word  is  continued  as  a  re- 
membrancer of  the  original  intent  of  dividing  the  land 
by  boundaries,  and  implies  that  it  was  equitably  or 
rightly  divided,  that  is,  divided  according  to  righteous- 
ness. In  this  —  that  is,  in  equity  and  righteousness  — 
consists  the  strength  of  our  claim.  If  we  trace  an  un- 
righteous claim  and  find  gifts  or  grants  proved  by  suffi- 
cient seals  and  witnesses,  it  gives  not  the  claimant  a 
right;  for  that  which  is  opposite  to  righteousness  is 
wrong,  and  the  nature  of  it  must  be  changed  before  it 
can  be  right. 

Suppose  twenty  free  men,  professed  followers  of 
Christ,  discovered  an  island,  and  that  they  with  their 
wives,  independent  of  all  others,  took  possession  of  it 
and,  dividing  it  equally,  made  improvements  and  multi- 
plied ;  suppose  these  first  possessors,  being  generally  in- 
fluenced by  true  love,  did  with  paternal  regard  look  over 
the  increasing  condition  of  the  inhabitants,  and,  near  the 
end  of  their  lives,  gave  such  directions  concerning  their 
respective  possessions  as  best  suited  the  convenience 
of  the  whole  and  tended  to  preserve  love  and  harmony; 
14 


3 14  Appendix. 

and  that  their  successors  in  the  continued  increase  of 
people  generally  followed  their  pious  example  and  pur- 
sued means  the  most  effectual  to  keep  oppression  out 
of  their  island  ;  but  that  one  of  these  first  settlers,  from 
a  fond  attachment  to  one  of  his  numerous  sons,  no 
more  deserving  than  the  rest,  gives  the  chief  of  his 
lands  to  him,  and  by  an  instrument  sufficiently  wit- 
nessed strongly  expressed  his  mind  and  will ;  —  suppose 
this  son,  being  landlord  to  his  brethren  and  nephews, 
demands  such  a  portion  of  the  fruits  of  the  earth  as 
may  supply  himself,  his  family,  and  some  others,  and 
that  these  others  thus  supplied  out  of  his  store  are  em- 
ployed in  adorning  his  building  with  curious  engravings 
and  paintings,  preparing  carriages  to  ride  in,  vessels  for 
his  house,  delicious  meats,  fine  wrought  apparel  and 
furniture,  all  suiting  that  distinction  lately  arisen  be- 
tween him  and  the  other  inhabitants  ;  and  that,  having 
the  absolute  disposal  of  these  numerous  improvements, 
his  power  so  increaseth  that  in  all  conferences  relative 
to  the  public  affairs  of  the  island  these  plain,  honest 
men,  who  are  zealous  for  equitable  establishments,  find 
great  difficulty  in  proceeding  agreeably  to  their  right- 
eous inclinations  ;  —  suppose  this  son,  from  a  fondness 
to  one  of  his  children,  joined  with  a  desire  to  continue 
this  grandeur  under  his  own  name,  confirms  the  chief 
of  his  possessions  to  him,  and  thus  for  many  ages 
there  is  one  great  landlord  over  near  a  twentieth  part 
of  this  island,  and  the  rest  are  poor  oppressed  people, 
to  some  of  whom,  from  the  manner  of  their  education, 
joined  with  a  notion  of  the  greatness  of  their  predeces- 
sors, labor  is  disagreeable  ;  who  therefore,  by  artful  ap- 
plications to  the  weakness,  unguardedness,  and  corrup- 
tions of  others  in  striving  to  get  a  living  out  of  them, 
increase  the  difficulties  among  them,  while  the  inhabi- 
tants of  other  parts,  who  guard  against  oppression  and 


Appendix.  3 1 5 

with  one  consent  train  up  their  children  in  frugality  and 
useful  labor,  live  more  harmoniously;  —  if  we  trace  the 
claims  of  the  ninth  or  tenth  of  these  great  landlords 
down  to  the  first  possessor  and  find  the  claim  support- 
ed throughout  by  instruments  strongly  drawn  and  wit- 
nessed, after  all  we  could  not  admit  a  belief  into  our 
hearts  that  he  had  a  right  to  so  great  a  portion  of  land 
after  such  a  numerous  increase  of  inhabitants. 

The  first  possessor  of  that  twentieth  part  held  no 
more,  we  suppose,  than  an  equitable  portion  ;  but  when 
the  Lord,  who  first  gave  these  twenty  men  possession 
of  this  island  unknown  to  all  others,  gave  being  to  nu- 
merous people  who  inhabited  the  twentieth  part,  whose 
natures  required  the  fruits  thereof  for  their  sustenance, 
this  great  claimer  of  the  soil  could  not  have  a  right  to 
the  whole  to  dispose  of  it  in  gratifying  his  irregular  de- 
sires ;  but  they,  as  creatures  of  the  Most  High  God, 
Possessor  of  heaven  and  earth,  had  a  right  to  part  of 
what  this  great  claimer  held,  though  they  had  no  in- 
struments to  confirm  their  right  Thus  oppression  in 
the  extreme  appears  terrible  ;  but  oppression  in  more 
refined  appearances  remains  to  be  oppression,  and  when 
the  smallest  degree  of  it  is  cherished  it  grows  stronger 
and  more  extensive. 

To  labor  for  a  perfect  redemption  from  this  spirit  of 
oppression  is  the  great  business  of  the  whole  family  of 
Christ  Jesus  in  this  world. 


THE   END. 


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